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Copyrighted, iQOS* 



ELIZABETH MAY FOSTER. 



All Rights Reserved. 



DEDICATION. 

i^m\' O friends, both known, unknown, 
^L, whose spirits linked 

With mine in kinship are, I dedi- 
cate 
These lowly strains of minstrelsy which soul 
From life has caught in moments glad and 

grave. 
An intermingling 'tis of shade and sheen — 
Pit type of Naure's moods; a reflex true 
Of feelings which the inner life has stirred. 
Nathless, this book a worthy mission has: 
Good cheer for troubled hearts and sun- 
beams bright 
To radiate the homes where it abides. 
Untouched its concepts are by artist hand ; 
Too deep an impress did the Master give 
To their great spontaneity of thought 
For human tampering. Dear comrades true, 
"What's writ is writ: would it were 
worthier !" 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

The Southern Trinity 1 

Immortal in Marble 5 

Gone Forward 8 

Robert E. Lee 10 

Washington 11 

Our Dead Chieftain 12 

Ghosts 17 

Since 18 

My Bride 19 

Tell Me That You Love Me! 20 

Love Perfected 21 

Love Is Immortal 22 

I Love You So 23 

Indescribable 25 

Love's Hope 26 

Perennial Love 28 

The Magician 29 

Poesy 30 

Yearnings 31 

Sometimes 32 

Visions 34 

Mother's Coming Home 35 

In the Soul Garden 36 

The Isles of Long Ago 37 

The Defaulter's Wife 38 

A Roundelay of Hope 39 

Cupid's Caprice 40 

Prospective 41 

Love 42 

Good-bye, Little Sweetheart 43 



vi Contents. 



PAGE 

Love's Perplexities 44 

Epithalamium 45 

A Fancy 46 

The Spirit's Pleading 47 

Gold Sundered 49 

A Warning 49 

In Mid-Atlantic 53 

A Scottish Sunset 55 

Whisperings of Spring 5G 

Bird Songs 57 

The Snow Miracle 58 

From Sea to Mountain 60 

June 60 

Spring 61 

The Witchery of Spring 62 

Nature's Gold 62 

Gladness 64 

Morning 64 

Evolved 65 

Nature's Largess 65 

A Song of May 67 

Autumn 68 

The Winter Minstrel 69 

Because 73 

Jilted 74 

A Woman's Answer 75 

The Mosquitos 76 

A Mousie's Fate 77 

The Traveler 79 

Maggie's Cogitations 81 

Lewis 82 

Just a Friend 87 

The Cottage by the Rill 88 

Not Satisfied 89 

My Friend 91 

Victoria * ... 92 

The Wishing Tree 94 

Invocation 97 

Enshadowed 98 

Memoria in Eterna 99 



Contents. vii 



PAGE 

My Mother , 100 

The Answered Prayer 103 

Memorials 105 

Shakespeare 105 

Deathless lOG 

With the Immortals lv'7 

St. Vincent's 108 

His Presence 113 

In the Gloaming 113 

Live Thy Creed^ 114 

Patience 115 

To Pain 115 

Called 116 

He Knows 116 

Silence 117 

Be Cheery 118 

The Mother's Farewell 118 

Strength for the Weary 119 

Joy Bells 120 

Happiness 121 

The Heavenly Call 122 

Easter 123 

Homeward 124 

A Prayer 124 

Into Thy Hands 125 

October Eleventh 126 

Translated 127 

The Light of Life 128 

The Transfiguration 129 

Immortal 131 

Thy Will Be Done 132 

A Vision of Heaven 133 

At Sunset 135 

A Wish 135 

A Twilight Supplication 136 

Thankfulness 137 

Beyond 138 

Thanksgiving 13U 

A Christmas Carol 140 

Comfort 14] 



viii Contents. 



PAGE 

God Is with Us 142 

Asleep 147 

Hope Triumphant 148 

Thyself 150 

Conscience 150 

Rallying Power 151 

Hope 152 

Only 152 

Mutation 153 

Needs 154 

Dreamland 155 

Whither? 155 

In Darkest Hour 156 

A Star in the Darkness 157 

Success 157 

Life's Golden Side 158 

Cheerfulness 159 

I Wonder 160 

I Know 161 

A Question Answered 163 

Sympathy 165 

Sleeping in the Dust 166 

Transition 167 

To My Books 168 

Miserere 169 

Death 170 

Dissolution 173 

My Life 174 

Good-Niffht 175 



THE SOUTHERN TRINITY.* 

^^^ HERE'S deep pathos in the story, 
^^ Of the cause which men call 

^^Lost;" 
Though our Southland was not vanquished, 
Foeman won at fearful cost. 

'Tis a theme for song and story, 

Which will live for ages yet ; 
'Tis replete with deeds of glory. 

Soldiers brave can ne'er forget. 

In the hearts of every Southron 

Is enshrined a triune band, 
And few other names can match them 

In our own or foreign land. 

On the roll of statesmen peerless 
Stands the name of Davis true; 

He, so gifted, so determined, 
Wisdom had possessed by few. 

* Written for the Confederate Veterans. 



POEMS. 



Through those years of fearful carnage 
Stood he at his nation's helm; 

Stood like man among his fellows, 
Though the loftiest in his realm. 

There's a cell in Fortress Monroe, 
That for years — some two or three — 

Held the form of captive hero, 
Matchless in humility. 

Ah! we weep that noble leader 

Should have suffered for our cause: 

Thus his greatness was exalted — 
Diamond brilliant without flaws. 

Then, upon the roll of warriors, 
Shines resi3lendent name of Lee, 

He who led brave soldiers forward 
To the van, our land to free. 

We've been told there's cypress blended 
With the laurels that he wore. 

But we've never seen that cypress, — 
Always laurels, evermore. 



POEMS 



We can never hear the mention 

Of brave hero such as he, 
That we do not bow in homage 

And thank God for Robert Lee. 

Next upon the roll is Jackson — 

"Stonewall," name he proudly bore, 

And that name expressed him truly — 
Name we Southerners adore. 

Never soldier was more fearless 
Than this hero so renowned, 

For he fought for home and freedom, 
This dear chieftain God had crowned. 

In the Army of Virginia 

He was always hope forlorn; 

And when Stonewall's men were coming, 
Courage fresh in souls was born. 

But the brightness of the picture 

Is obscured by falling tears. 
For in moment of great victory 

Our beloved disappears. 



POEMS. 



All! it is a cruel story! 

Shot down by his men in grey, 
Hand upraised to God of battles, 

As his wont was in each fray. 

Dear "Lost Cause," thou art immortal ! 

And thy heroes live for aye; 
In our sunny Southland, Dixie, 

Cause so sacred ne'er can die. 

Years have thinned our ranks, dear com 
rades, 

And the time is coming fast, 
When our banquets and reunions 

Will all be forever past; 

But when boatman pale shall row us 

O'er the river, may we rest 
'Neath the trees, Avith our loved leaders, 

Each a welcome heavenly guest. 



POEMS. 



IMMOETAL IN MARBLE. 

(Dedicated to the Surviving Women of the Confederacy.) 

fMMORTAL in memory for long years 
they've been; 
Immortal in marble, say Veterans 
now. 
Some sculptor inspired, far away from war's 
din. 
With this tender memorial the world must 
endow. 

Brave women were they, a true Spartan- 
like band, 
Who gave to their country so freely their 
all, 
Those women in "sixties," of sunny South- 
land, 
That gladly responded to section's loud 
call. 

Not lacking in love were those mothers of 
ours. 
For tenderer hearts never beat in warm 
breast. 



POEMS 



True patriots were they, wlio-d resist all the 
pow'rs 
Arrayed 'gainst the right, they most 
proudly confessed. 

'Mid throes of wild anguish they lent help- 
ing hand; 
Like Mother of Gracchi, their "jewels'' 
they gave. 
Ah! naught was too precious for dear na- 
tive land; 
For freedom they loved, and that land 
they must save. 

By war metamorphosed, protectors were 
they 
Of homes from which husbands and 
fathers had sped 
To fields red with carnage, envestured in 
grey, 
While bravely they fought 'neath a rain- 
fall of lead. 

Such planning they did, and such pray- 
ing! ah, me! 



POEMS 



Though hard to provide for a starving 

home-band, 
This blanched not the cheek like the thought 

of might he 
In battle to-morrow, with foe hand to 

hand. 

Blockaded were they, but could always de- 
vise 
Some comforts for home and for hospital, 
too, 
True lovers of country, they thought it un- 
wise 
In souls to despair, e'en though luxuries 
were few. 

Dear mothers I with reverence we bow at 

your shrine, 

For nothing impossible e'er was to you! 

The holiest chambers of mem'ry are thine; 

Heart incense we give you as chaste as 

the dew. 

Our women ! ah ! surely the guerdon they've 
won 



POEMS 



Of splendid memorial — a snowy shaft 

rare — 
Embodying their virtues, with deeds that 

were done 
For cause so heroic, whose honors they 

share. 

Like lily of Easter, this cenotaph pure 
Will breathe forth a fragrance, though 
only white stone; 
And each Southron shall see, in words that 
endure. 
The name and the fame of his mother 
alone. 

GONE FOKWARD. 

(Lines commemorating the death of the great Southern 
fiero, General Robert E. Lee, President of Washing- 
ton and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, and 
written over thirty years after that event.) 

BNTERED into rest! Passed from 
earth's shadows 
Into the radiance of the sinless 
land. 
Grone forward like a soldier loyal, 
Eesponding to his officer's command. 



POEMS 



Thus did our chieftain pass to heavenly 

rest, 

'Mid plaudits of his own and other lands, 

Obeying Captain's order, without murmur, 

To enter house not made with earthly 

hands. 

The Great Eternal planned this sacrifice; 
And meekly, from the shining heights of 
fame, 
Our South's beloved bowed his laureled 

head 

i 

Obediently at mention of his name. 

Not death it is to die, when we have made 
Earth better by our living, and have left 

Sweet mem-ries blossoming in other hearts, 
Like verdant ivy in the ruined cleft. 

He is not dead ! for all earth's arches ring 

With name and fame of this great, 

Christ-like one. 

Whose talents rare were given to mankind, 

While soul serenely walked with God's 

dear Son. 



lo POEMS. 



EOBEKT E. LEE. 

LL honor to Lee, our great chieftain. 
So regal, so loyal, so brave! 
Who foremost stood ever in battle 
And strove our dear Southland to save. 



H 



Our Lee was a chivalric spirit, 

Commanding the praise of the world. 

In warfare he ever was dauntless; 
For conscience his flag was unfurled. 

But destiny called the great soldier 
To sacrifice all he held dear; 

Unvanquished he yielded his sabre, 
But God his brave spirit did cheer. 

The clang of the battle is over; 

The Angel of Peace has long spread 
Her white wings o'er fields that were gory; 

Our hero now rests with the dead. 

Immortal, he dwells with us ever, 
Enshrined in the heart's Holy Place; 

The cypress with laurel is blended; 
No time can his mem'ry efface. 



POEMS. II 

WASHINGTON. 

^^^^IVINELY appointed, he came to 
jj^ earth 

With grander equipment than 
royal birth, 
For the Lord on that head His hand had 

placed 
To lead him forth through the wilderness 

waste, 
That, like Israel's leader in days of old. 
His name might be writ in letters of gold 
As hater of tyrant, lover of right, 
Commander of hosts in Liberty's fight. 

Though elect of God, he was free to choose, 
But woe unto him should he dare refuse 
The loud call of Jehovah to lead His band 
Through the threat'ning sea to the Promised 

Land. 
Undaunted he stood when the timid quailed. 
His faith unshaken, however assailed. 
For Truth was his watchword. Duty his 

guide. 
And always there walked the Lord at his 

side. 



12 POEMS 



Ah ! that was the secret of his great name — 
Trusting the Strong One, not seeking for 

fame; 
Doing the work that the Lord deemed best, 
Fighting for country, whatever the test; 
Sounding the cry that w^as Tyranny's doom, 
Helping a nation emerge from its gloom ; 
Glorious nation ! America free ! 
Washington's first in thy grand Jubilee! 

OUK DEAD CHIEFTAIN.* 

BNWEAPPED in gloom our Nation is. 
For its great chief has passed 
away; 
And with sad hearts and tolling bells. 
We yield his form to earth to-day. 

"No North, no South, no East, no West!" 
We are a band of brothers true, 

And mourn alike the loss of one 
Whose virtues every section knew. 

* President McKinley, September 19, 1901. 



POEMS. 13 

With wise foresight, with noble aim, 
He firmly for the right did stand, 

And helped to make us what Ave are, 
A prosperous, happy, peaceful land. 

We see him stricken from the earth. 
In prime of life, with honors rare, 

And as a Nation stand aghast 

That Anarchy could such crime dare. 

"God's will is best !" Ah ! noble soul ! 

With all earth's glories clustering 'round, 
He bowed submissive to that will, 

Attestino^ he True Love had found. 



'& 



In plaintive tones that dying prayer, 
"Nearer, My God, to Thee," we sing, 

'Mid muffled drums and funeral march 
And vision of the one true King. 

Unitedly our nation mourns 

The loss of one so wise and pure, 

And for his second, dearer self 

Invokes the strength that can endure. 



14 POEMS. 

A man 'moiig men, not soon shall we 
Such kingly spirit see again! 

To-day all evil thoughts are hushed — • 
We feel he has not died in vain. 

His soul was loyal to each trust; 

Devotion in his heart was shrined; 
And, grateful, we the tribute give : 

McKinley lived to bless mankind! 



SENTIMENT. 



(15) 



POEMS. 17 



GHOSTS. 

O you believe in ghosts?" you ask, 
And cuddle at my side, 
While I, with bated breath, reply. 
As you your visage hide: 



2) 



"Oh! yes, my child, V\e seen them oft, 
Those frightful, shadowy things. 

Weird apparitions men call ghosts. 
Which flit on unseen wings. 

"Pale, haunting ghosts from out the past 

Before me often rise — 
The ghosts of cruel, mocking words. 

Of love the sacrifice ; 

"The ghosts of griefs I did not soothe, 

Of tears I failed to dry, 
Of sympathy I did not feel, 

And woes that I passed by; 

"The ghosts of kindly deeds unwrought, 

Of gracious words unsaid. 
Of passions that were unsubdued, 

Of hearts uncomforted. 



i8 POEMS. 

^ 'These sliai^eless phantoms round me glide, 

When deep in reverie, 
Alone I sit in twilight gloom 

A prey to memory. 

"Would you such spectres ne'er behold 

Let life, dear child, be free 
From human Vv eaknesses like these, 

And 'stead of ghosts, you'll see 
Your thoughts and words and deeds come 
back 

In angel symmetry." 



SINCE. 

SINCE I've seen the starry shine 
Of thy radiant eyes divine, 
I've been walking in a dream, 
And forever thou dost seem 

To be wholly mine. 

Since I've heard thy voice so low, 
With its soothing, heavenly flow, 
Nothing can dispel its tone. 
For it speaks to me alone, 

Never sajdng, "No." 



POEMS. 19 

Since thou art a guileless dove 
I will never from thee rove, 
But forever we'll abide 
xis the years shall onward glide, 

Sweethearts bound by love. 



B 



MY BRIDE. 

RRAYED in shimmering white, 
A vision of delight, 

Was mj bonny, bonny bride. 
Orange blossoms in her hair. 
Oh! how fair, how very fair. 
Was life's angel at my side! 

'Twas just six months ago! 
My heart's now full of woe. 

For there's no one at my side. 
She is robed again in white. 
As on that auspicious night. 

But Death's claimed her as his bride. 

My life is sore bereft; 
In deepest grief I'm left 

Since she vanished from my side; 



20 POEMS. 

But sweet memory shell be 
Till I cross the jasper sea 
Where awaits mj angel bride. 

TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME! 



% 



OVE is shining in your eyes, 
It is vocal in your sighs, 
But the heart within me cries 
"Tell me that you love me I" 



Symbols sweet are these, indeed, 
Symbols that my heart doth need, 
But for loving words I plead; 
"Tell me that you love me!'' 

Earthly griefs can ne'er depress 
When thy whispered tenderness 
Folds me like a soft caress. 
"Tell me that you love me!" 

All along life's rugged way 
Spoken love will shed bright ray, 
Therefore fervently I pray: 
'TeLl me that you love me!'' 



POEMS. 21 



LOVE PEKFECTED. 

^fl^n E have grown old in life's har- 
VL%1% ^^^^ together, 

My brave little wife and I; 
From cheek and from lip the rose tint has 
vanished, 
But what care I — care I? 
Love's ties have been welded by years that 

have flown. 
And she's ever and always my own, my own, 
Despite of the charms that fly. 

You may prate as you please of passion of 
youth, 
'Tis phantom, 'tis myth to mine; 
The love of our years has been strengi:hened 
by tears, 
And, with arms that entwine. 
At bridal and bier we have stood side by 

side. 
Seeing home's treasures away from us 
glide,— 
God's decree, we'll not repine. 



22 POEMS 



The griefs that have come have intensified 
love, — 
A halo rests over all; 
With faces turned homeward, two pilgrims 
we are. 
Awaiting the heavenly call; 
Our constant petition, our deep, fervent 

prayer, 
Inaudible often, that we may both share 
One grave when death's shadows fall. 

LOVE IS IMMORTAL. 

'^^HOUGH youth has departed, 
^^ We're never faint-hearted, 
But bask in its ray; 
For love is immortal, 
And we at its portal 
Are standing alway. 

Bright hopes may have perished, 
Fond ties still are cherished, 

Which pass not away. 
Love's pole-star is shining, 
And hearts are enshrining 

Its radiance for aye. 



POEMS. 23 

There's naught that can sever 
Souls welded forever 

By love's magic bond. 
True love is immortal, 
And waves at life's portal 

Its mystical wand. 



I LOVE YOU SO. 

SHE said it quite softly, she said it 
quite low, 

"I love you so, I love you so;'' 
But the birds of the forest caught the low 

sound. 
And re-echoed it all through the woods 
around, 
"I love you so, I love you so." 

Then she merrily sang on waters that flow, 

"I love you so, I love you so;" 
And the tiny wavelets that rippled along 
Kepeated the words of her rapturous song, 
"I love you so, I love you so." 



24 POEMS. 

Anon came soft murmur, 'mid sunset's rich 
glow, 
"I love you so, I love you so;" 
And the bright-tinted clouds, though so far 

away. 
Spelled those magical words in glitt'ring 
array, 
"I love you so, I love you so." 

Then she lisped, as 'neath stars they roamed 
to and fro, 
"I love you so, I love you so;" 
And like morning stars, which in olden 

time sang, 
Those stars with the maiden's glad melody 
rang: 
"I love you so, I love you so/' 

Bewildered she said, blush suffusing the 
snow, 

"I love you so, I love you so; 
To you alone have I told the sweet story, 
But myriad voices echo its glory, 

I love you so, I love you so. 



POEMS. 25 

''Why can't I on dear one those fond words 
bestow, — 
'I love yon so, I love you so,' — 
Without such an echo in musical bars 
Prom birds and from river, from clouds and 
from stars, 
'I love you so, I love you so.' 

''Ne'er again will I say, dear lover, I trow, 

'I love you so, I love you so.' 
That love is too sacred in chorus to flow; 
In my heart 'tis chiming a blessed solo — 

'I love you so, I love you so.' " 

INDESOEIBABLE. 

^fj^ EAR heart, you ask me to describe 
J5^ The love I feel for thee; 

But subtle essence so divine 
Eludes forever pen of mine; 
I only know I love thee. 

When birdling can describe its song, 
The song that God has given; 



26 POEMS 



When starlets bright know why they shine, 
I will describe this love of mine— 
This love allied to heaven. 

When dainty blossom can define 

The perfume in it dwelling; 
When beauty understands the spell 
Of witchery it weaves — ah, well! 

My love I'll then be telling. 

Divinity our souls has shaped, 

And Love indwelleth there, 
The child caressed by King of Kings; 
And sweetest carol she e'er sings 

This love you fondly share. 

LOVE'S HOPE. 



t 



KNOW you do not love me, 
But 'tis bliss to think of you ; 
A magnet thou, my own sweetheart, 
And T vour lover true. 



You've said me "nay," my darling, 
And you mean it now^, I know, 

But lady fair Avas never won 
By heart that's faint, I trow. 



POEMS. 27 

So I'll keep ou a-loving, 

And a-wooing, too, my dear, 
For hope my soul is buoying — 

It knowetb naught of fear. 

My gifts you do not prize, love, 
They are "trifles light as air''; 

But the giving makes me happier; 
For your thanks I do not care. 

The world is brighter, darling, 

For the shining of jour eyes. 
Which ahvaj^s make me think, dear. 

Of the land of Paradise. 

Like melody in dreams, love, 

Is the music of your voice ; 
Could it pronounce a loving "yes," 

My heart would then rejoice. 

I know you do not love me. 

Though 'tis bliss to think of you. 

If another you should marry. 
Life's thread would snap in two. 



2§ POEMS 



PERENNIAL LOVE. 

(To Mr. and Mrs. Henry H. Fisher, of Norfolk, Va., 
Commemorating their Silver Wedding, February 
12, 1904.) 



1 



LOVED you in youth's hallowed time 
When life was hope and gladness ; 
I loved you in my manhood's prime, 
Ere joy was dimmed by sadness. 



And now the sere and yellow leaf 
Finds love for you unchanging; 

Thank God there's never been the grief 
Of hearts that knew estranging. 

Hand clasped in hand we're journeying, 
dear, 

A-down life's hill together; 
True love in heart, w^e've naught to fear. 

Since love's proof 'gainst all weather. 

The snow and ice of winter time 
Will ere long gather 'round us. 

But Love Eternal thaws all rime; 
And that love e'er surrounds us. 



lb 



POEMS. 29 



THE MAGICIAN. 

E said that lie loved her, 
He whispered it low, 
But deep down in her soul, 
She heard its soft flow. 



The words chimed and echoed 
With rhythmical sound; 

Worlds inward and outward 
Awoke with a bound. 

The skies were more azure, 
More verdant the grass. 

The lover was happier, i 

More joyous the lass. 

The birds sang more sweetly, 
The sunshine was gold; 

Bright dreams of young lovers 
Can never be told. 

The odor of flowers 

Distilled on the air 
Was heaven's own perfume,^ 

Love made it so rare. 



30 POEMS 



Ah ! wondrous magician, 

This Cupid we call, 
That fills with such gladness 

The lives of us all. 

POESY. 

HGIFT of the gods," said a 
thoughtless one; 
Nay! rather, say we, with rev- 
erence meet, 
A gift from the God to elevate thoug^ht 
And give to life's prose a measure com- 
plete. 

Ah ! hard were our lot with rhythm left out, 
And sweet lullabies and snatches of song 

Forever destroyed by Reason's cold creed, 
While treading life's ways a prosaic 
throng. 

How thrilled is our spirit, what rapture we 
feel. 
When Poesy, Child of the Muses divine, 



POEMS. 31 

Writes thoughts in our heart that will be 
to mankind 
A sesame true to the souPs inner shrine. 

Our Fatlier, we thank Thee for sentiment 
pure, 
Engraved as with diamond upon our own 
heart 
By poets baptized with Thine own living 
fire, 
For life's hallowed service by Thee set 
apart. 

•5 



•ff 



YEAKNINGS. 

CARE not for laurels 

That may deck my cold brow, 
'Tis tender affection 

I am craving just now. 



I ask not for riches. 

Which disquiet the mind; 
I long for devotion 

That in fond hearts we find. 



32 POEMS 



I yearn not for pleasures 
That so lead one astray; 

I'm looking for sunshine 
That will ne'er fade away. 

I seek not position, 

For "society's" vain; 
'Tis true, earnest living 

That I seek on earth's plane. 

O friends ! not one flow'ret 
Must you lay on my tomb; 

Just give me Love's violets 
In my heart here to bloom. 

Oh! speak to me gently, 
As a poor homeless dove; 

Oh! think of me kindly, 
Let me rest in your love. 

n 

SOMETIMES. 



S 



OMETIMES it is the simplest lays 
That wake within the soul God's 
praise ; 



POEMS. 33 

Sometimes the humblest things have power 
To cheer our hearts in gloom-fraught hour. 
Sometimes, sometimes. 

Sometimes when steeped in deep distress, 
And earth seems one great wilderness, 
A brown-winged bird will sweetly trill 
A song that causes heart to thrill. 
Sometimes, sometimes. 

Sometimes when sun has ceased to shine, 
And we forget that life's divine. 
There's sudden rift, and blue appears — 
This heavenly signal dries our tears. 
Sometimes, sometimes. 

Sometimes when lonely past all speech. 
And faith cannot to great heights reach, 
A pure thought dropped by little child 
Has us of loneliness beguiled. 

Sometimes, sometimes. 

Sometimes we muse of coming days 
Whose myst'ries souls of ours amaze; 
Thought trembles on the brink of woe, 
And then dissolves: God loves us so! 
But not sometimes — always^ we know. 



34 POEMS. 



VISIONS. 

^^^^AYS for visions have departed, 
xf / Earth-born spirits say, 

But the soul within us thrilleth 

At their glimpse to-day 
With the same ecstatic fervor 

Felt in far-off yesterday. 

Thoughts that fill with aspiration 

For a higher life, 
Beauteous scenes of royal Nature 

Free from earth's vain strife, 
Lives from selfishness divested, 

Are with glorious visions rife. 

Whatsoever tends to guide us 

To bright realm above. 
Whatsoever calls and woos us 

To immortal love, 
Is an angel sent from heaven, 

Rapturous vision! peace- winged dove! 



POEMS. 35 



MOTHER'S COMING HOME. 

ymC OTHER'S coming home to-day!" 
r^ jj J Joyfully the children say. 

"Home has been a lonesome 
spot, 
Everyone has us forgot 

Since mother went away. 

"Mother's coming home to-day ! 
Now we'll romp and dance and play. 
She is used to girls and boys, 
And she'll love to hear our noise, 
For mother's been away. 

"Mother's coming home to-day! 
Coming back always to stay, 
And the sun will shine once more, 
As it shone for us before 

Our mother went away. 

"Mother's coming home to-day! 
We'll be gayest of the gay, 
For no children in our land 
Have a mother half so grand — 

Dear mother's been away!^ 



36 POEMS 



^'Mother's coming home to-day !'' 
Words that shed a golden ray. 
Mother's absence creates dearth, 
And it shows her matchless worth. 
She's coming home to stay! 

IN THE SOUL GARDEN. 

♦ll^OSES and lilies and violets are 
11^ blooming 

In the soul garden, and I am pre- 
suming 
To interpret their virtues so rare, 
And to tell you why each is so fair. 

Blest innocence slumbers in rose that is 

white, 
Oblivious of vices that souls often blight. 
Of sacrifice speaketh the rose that is red, 
Like crimson flood pouring from heart that 

has bled. 

For chastity surely there's naught will com- 
pare 
With chalice of lily, so fragrant and fair. 



POEMS. 37 

Humility type is of violet shy, 
That shrinketh and hideth away from man's 
eye. 

Blossoms of loveliness fair that are bloom- 
ing 
Kiehly in garden of soul, I'm assuming, 
Are as clear in their symbols to me 
As the diamond's bright sparkle we see. 



THE ISLES OF LONG AGO. 

^C IFE and Love have gone a-maying, 
/S^ And delightedly are straying 

'Mid Isles of Long Ago; 
A beauteous land in which to stay, 
Enchanted land of yesterday, 

Sweet Isles of Long Ago! 

Aladdin's palace pales beside 
The castle grand in which abide 

Dear friends of Long Ago. 
With portraits true its walls are hung. 
In echoing labyrinths songs are sung 



Of happy Long Ago. 



38 POEMS 



'Tis only in this castle rare, 
'Tis only in these islands fair, 

Dwell friends of Long Ago; 
So Life and Love in this bright land 
Will keep on Maying, hand in hand, 

Through Isles of Long Ago. 



THE DEFAULTEE'S WIFE. 



s 



UCH cruel, cruel rumors 

As are floating on the air! 
I stand aghast to hear them, 
And am filled with wild despair. 



"Defaulter," say the papers; 

Ah! what wicked words they use! 
My Harry was too noble 

To men's confidence abuse. 

"He's missing." Yes, he's missing; 

Do you think he'd stay and hear 
Untruths so basely flagrant 

Heap«^d on name he holds so dear? 



POEMS. 39 

You've driven him from his loved ones; 

You've besmirched his honor fair; 
Some other man is guilty — 

How could he such crime dare! 

My heart for him is pleading; 

He's my husband pure and true; 
God bless him and defend him — 

In his imth sweet lilies strew. 

K 
A KOUNDELAY OF HOPE. 

HEOUNDELAY I sing to-day 
Of life so sweet, so all-complete, 
When music rare shall float in air, 
And joyous sound be all around; 
On earth, in sky, beneath, on high. 
Blest pleasures dwell no tongue can tell. — 
Thought of such bliss were not amiss. 
And so I'll rhyme of that good time 
Which is most surely coming. 
When naught can heart annoy, 
When life has no alloy, 
And all's millennial joy : 
'Tis coming, coming, coming! 



40 POEMS. 



'TL 



CUPID'S CAPRICE. 

WAS a fairy castle that we builded, 
You and I ; 
Soaring sunward, spreading east- 
ward, westward, 
Broad and high. 

In that castle fair Love's god was dwelling, 

Fond and free; 
And on us he richly showered his blessings ; 

Glad were we. 

But, alas! that fairy castle crumbled 

In a night; 
Of caprice of Cupid we were victims,- 

Doleful plight! 

Wanton Love, that arch deceiver, suddenly 

Took wing; 
And thus you and I forever parted, 

Sorrowing. 

There's no fairy castle that can hold him; 

He can fly! 
So with blanched lips that quiver we say: 

**'Good-bye ! Good-bye !" 



POEMS. 41 



PKOSPECTIVE. 

♦IFN the radiant summer time 
II When the bells most sweetly 
chime, 
And the sun will golden shine, 
You'll be mine! You'll be mine! 

Thought enrapturing to the soul, 
Leading forth to life's true goal. 
Heart's fair angel by my side, 
We will ever thus abide. 



Sweethearts true we'll always be—* 
I to you and you to me; 
Fonder, truer with each 3^ear, 
Filling life with sweetest cheer. 

Our bright honeymoon will last 
Till life's latest sunset's past, 
Then together we shall fly 
To blest Home b<pyond the sky. 



42 POEMS 



lb 



LOVE. 

E told her he loved her, 
And sweet bells rang; 
He told her he loved her, 
Life's song-bird sang. 



The bright sun is shining. 
Cloudless the sky; 

Fond hopes are entwining. 
Shadows now fly. 

All foes have evanished. 

Angels encamp ; 
The heart is a palace, 

Lit by Love's lamp. 

Such ecstatic living 

Has Cupid bold 
That bliss of true loving 

Cannot be told. 

Oh I sing and be joyful ; 

Life is now May; 
Attuned to rapture 

Is Love's bright day. 



POEMS. 43 



GOOD-BYE, LITTLE SWEETHEAKT. 



(3 



OOD-BYE to the life that is ended, 
The beautiful life of love; 
Good-bye to the sentiment blended 
With that beautiful, beautiful love. 
Good-bye, little sweetheart, good-bye! 



Good-bye to the fondness we cherished 
In that beautiful life of love; 

Good-bye to the hopes that have perished 
With the ebb of that beautiful love. 
Good-bye, little sw^eetheart, good-bye! 

Good-bye to the tenderness dw^elling 
In that beautiful life of love; 

Good-bye to the hearts that were welling 
W^ith love, beautiful, beautiful love. 
Good-bye, little sweetheart, good-bye! 

A last good-bye, w-e say with a sigh, 
To the beautiful life of love; 

Why, oh ! why, must we say this good-bye 
To that beautiful^ beautiful love? 
Little sweetheart, forever good-bye! 



44 POEMS 



LOVE'S PEKPLEXITIES. 

SWEETHEART mine, you say you love 
me; 
Ah! I wonder if you do I 
Could there be such painful discord 
'Twixt the souls of lovers true? 

Sometimes 'mid the sweetest music 
Jarring notes are strangely heard; 

B^t such music's not ideal — 
'Tis not heard in song of bird. 

True love's course, as poets tell us, 
Does not always smoothly run; 

But there must be tender loving. 
E'en though lost is glint of sun. 

Ah! I fear me, my own darling. 

We don't understand aright 
The deep tones our Father's gives 

To immortal spirits bright. 

Blended with the gold seraphic 

There's too much of baser ore; 
We were meant to be like angels, 

But we've lost heaven's blessed lore. 



POEMS. 45 

Oftentimes jou are sarcastic, 

And YOU wound me so, dear heart, 

That I feel I must say to you : 
^^Go! We'll now forever parti'' 

But, my dear, we'll keep on loving; 

Life asunder would be death. 
God has joined our souls together-^ 

They'll outlast this fleeting breath. 



EPITHALAMIUM. 

'f^' 0-DAY on you God hath bestowed 
^^ The richest gift of life; 

To-day, with happy, trustful heart — 
Red-letter day in Love's bright chart — 
You take the name of wife. 

In realin ideal you long have dwelt 

And folded in your breast 
The thought of what this day would be, 
When full fruition you would see 

Of love that God has blessed. 



46 POEMS 



The radiant summertide is yours — 

Its symbol this fair day; 
Bright hope is arching your life sky, 
Upheld by Love's god fond and shy, 

As soft '^I will/^ you say. 

1 
It means so much to give yourself, 

With tender soul within, 
To keeping of a man beloved; 
A union by our Lord approved, 

And free from taint of sin. 

And now my heartfelt wish I breathe. 

As pure as stainless snow; 
May you to him and he to you 
Be ever kind, be ever true, 

Till bliss of Heav'n you know! 



A FANCY. 

'VE a tender bit of faiacy 

That IVe woven into song! 
Far back in the misty epoch 
That to childhood doth belong, 



1 



POEMS. 47 

I could see from starry concave 

Ej-es of angels shining clear, 
Bringing light that was seraphic 

From their heaven to earthly sphere. 

Darkness lighted by such fancy 

Is not darkness that we fear, 
For the souVs by it illumined — 

Angels bright are ever near. 
Childish fancies have departed 

With the onward rush of time, 
But those eyes I still see shining, 

Beck'ning me to brighter clime. 



THE SPIKIT'S PLEADING. 

TIYfl "^^^ ^^^' ^^^^ friends, till I to 
^,^L^ dreamless rest am laid 

Ere you with heavenly benedic- 
tions crown my head; 
Full well we know that famine of the human 

heart 
Is not assuaged by tender tributes paid the 
dead; 



48 POEMS 



So I entreat your praise 
While yet I walk earth's ways. 

Oh, speak the words that buoy the fainting 
soul with hope, 
While still these mortal bars my spirit 
tightly hold. 
Throw open wide your alabaster box of 
love 
And let its blessed fragrance my poor life 
enfold 
While I, my kindred dear, 

Yet linger with you here. 

-J 

When I am gone no words of eulogy pro- 
nounce. 
No flowers of odorous breath heap on my 
lowly mound, 
Nor marble shaft uprear bespeaking virtues 
rare; 
Just let my life attuned be to rapturous 
sound 
Of love's sweet melody 
Ere soul enthralled is free- 



B 



POEMS. 49 

GOLD SUNDERED. 

BEINY tear within the eye, 
From out the heart a gentle sigh ; 
"Good-bye I good-bye !" 
'Twas thus we parted, you and I, 
One dreary day 'neath the murky sky. 

To-day we met as strangers cold; 
Your hand did not mine own enfold, 

For gold — bright gold — 
Had so obscured the love of old 
That throbbing heart for it you'd sold. 

n 
A WARNING. 



H 



F my voice could ring outward all over 
our land, 
And reach listening ears of girls 
everywhere, 
It is this I would say with an unction di- 
vine: 
"Dear girls, in the matter of marriage 
beware. 



so POEMS 



"You've your freedom just now, don't re- 
nounce it too soon; 
Be sure that you love ere you pledge your 
fond troth. 
Love's illusions too often are rainbowed by 
tears, 
And girls are deluded, like poor candle- 
moth. 

"Not to all is apportioned a home life of 
love; 
Position and fortune can't ease the heart- 
ache; 
And no bondage there is that will ever com- 
pare 
With marriage that's loveless, which, 
prithee, don't make. 

"The allurements of Cupid oft lead girls 
astray. 
But Fancy to Reason should always give 
heed; 
And though life may be lonely, yet happy 
'twill be 
If useful, contented, you help the world's 
need." 



NATURE. 



(SI): 



ir 



POEMS. 53 



IN MID-ATLANTIC. 

N mid- Atlantic ! Boundless waste 
Of water all around; 
Blue-bending arch of sky overhead, 
But not a single sound 
Save deep and thunderous breathings heard 
Of ocean's fleet greyhound. 

'Tis blue and green and gray alway 

That greet our longing eyes; 
No other colors e'er we see 

Except in sunset skies, 
Or when the vivid lightnings flash 

A wild and dread surprise. 

We miss the whir and whirl of land, 
We miss the church bells' chime; 

We long for sight of friends we love, 
We long for olden time. 

Dear motherland, thou'rt better far 
Than any foreign clime! 

We've been at sea for days and days; 

We've heard old Neptune roar; 
We've strained our eyes to catch one glimpse 

Of native, well-loved shore; 



54 POEMS 



And then, in wild despair, we've cried 
"We'll see thee nevermore!" 



Of mid-Atlantic's vast expanse 
No pen can tell the tale; 

So pitiful its record is — 
So full of woe and wail! 

How many ships gone do^^Tl at sea 
Like crystal spheres so frail ! 

The saddest sight in all the world 

Is funeral held at sea. 
Engulfing waters swallow^ up. 

As their own precious fee. 
The rigid canvassed form beloved, 

With soul fore'er set free. 



Abysmal depths! "Dear Lord," we cry, 

"Our wounded spirits heal ! 
Rich promises of Holy Writ 

In faith's sore need reveal, 
That ocean's deeps may tranquil be 

Where Love has set his seal." 



POEMS. s^ 



A SCOTTISH SUNSET.* 

H SUNSET on old Scotia's coast, 
Transfixed, I gazed upon; 
A scene of matchless beauty 'twas — 
Enchantment stam^Ded thereon. 

Such glory thrilled my soul through it 

That I in worship bowed 
To God of Nature for such a gift, 

And that He had allowed 
A child of earth to catch those rays 
That they fore'er might sound His praise. 

O, artist friend, so genius-dowered. 

Great glory thou didst catch 
From scene resplendent with God's light — 

A light which thou didst match — 
And bring to our enraptured view 
This pageant grand o'er ocean blue. 



* Lines inspired by the map-nificent Isle of St. Kilda 
painting, by Prof. Ambrose Maeneil. 



SG POEMS. 

That sunset could not fade aw ay, 
For God did thee appoint 

To make it shine for other souls, 
Since He did thee anoint 

To do this blessed work of grace 

Till thou shalt see Him face to face. 



WHISPERINGS OF SPRING. 

^^ PRING is coming ! Sprim 

^m^ Birds are singing, bees are humming. 

Cold of Ice King was benumbing, 
But the blessed spring is coming. 

Tuneful sounds are these, indeed. 
Sounds of which our hearts have need, 
So we cry: "Stern Winter, speed! 
For we love Spring's living creed." 

Tender blades of grass are springing; 
Swallows now are homeward winging, — 
To our lives sweet cheer they're bringing. 
Setting bells of hope a-ringing. 



POEMS. 57 

Quickened by the sun's warm rays, 
Nature her rich tribute pa^^s; 
And our souls are filled with praise 
While God's wonders so amaze. 

Resurrection's power is 'round us; 
Gospel truths no more confound us; 
Nature's spring doth e'er astound us; 
We, with earth, cry : "Love hath found us !" 

Spring is coming! Life will thrill 
Over valley, meadow, hill. 
O'er brown tw^ig and ice-locked rill ; 
Blessed Spring, our hearts you fill! 



a 



BIRD SONGS. 

ROM the meadow comes to me 
Joyous song of blackbird free: 
"I am happy! I am happy 
As birdling e'er can be." 



Floating down from upper air, 
List to note of lark so fair : 
"I'm free from care! free from care! 
Won't you all my joy share?" 



POEMS 



In dark depths of evergreen 
Glint of redbird's wing is seen 
As he trills of might have been 
Had this world been free from sin. 

Autumn's air is growing cold, 
But we hear blithe robin bold 
Chirruping upon the wold 
Of sweet hope his heart doth hold. 



Now with sifting flakes so bright 
Blends a song of glad delight : 
"Chick-a-dee I I'm happy quite 
In this frozen world so white." 



If our faith would brighter grow 
Let us oft to birdland go ; 
Songs of cheer will keep aglow 
Fires God meant should ne'er burn low. 

THE SNOW MIRACLE. 



ma 



HAT wonder-world is this that 
bursts 
Upon our sight to-day! 



POEMS. 59 



This fair, white world, 

This rare, bright world, 

A-gleaming 'neath sun-ray. 



Prom mountain peak to mountain peak 
A brilliant realm of snow. 

By man untrod, 

Fresh from its God, 
Is this fair world below. 



The sages say 'tis Nature's work, 
No mystery, they trow; 
And all in vain 
Strive to explain 
This miracle of snow. 



'Tis type of purity divine, 
This world we see to-day. 
Ah! could soul be 
From sin thus free. 
How blest were life alway! 



6o POEMS 



FROM SEA TO MOUNTAIN. 

BXTOL as you please the boundless 
sea, 
That matchless type of eternity, 
Its broad expanse gives terror to me, 
And soul speeds home to the mountains free. 

Away from storm-swept billowy main, 
With wreckage of hopes and worldly gain, 
To bulwarks towering above earth's plain. 
Sun-kissed and gleaming with golden grain. 

Ah, mariner ! keep thy soul aloft. 

Since sorrow there is on the sea full oft; 

I go to the heights whose breezes soft 

My life-pulse have quickened so oft, so oft. 

I? 

JUNE. 

SWEET enchantress, I am kneeling 
At thy feet in rapt delight, 
For on all the face of Nature 
Thou hast cast a shimmering light. 



POEMS. 6i 

Surely earth was never fairer 

Than in summershine to-day, 
And no song was ever blither 

Than this redbird's roundelay. 

Myriad blossoms are distilling 

Blest aroma everywhere, 
And we feel the joy of living 

As we quaff enchanted air. 

Skies of azure, bright and cloudless, 

Arch above a perfect earth; 
And such scenes of living beauty 

Give to life a nobler worth. 

Queen of melody and perfume, 
Queen of all the months art thou; 

June the blessed, June the radiant, 
At thy shrine to-day we bow! 



Z 



SPEING. 

RE reign of tyrant Winter's o'er 
The flow'rs distil a perfume rare. 
And hill and vale with music ring ; 



62 POEMS 



There's joy in every earthly thing, 
And fresh significance has life 

In this sweet season christened Spring. 

THE WITCHEEY OF SPRING. 

LOSSOMS now from buds are wak- 
ing, 
Fruits rich petals are down-shak- 



3 



Blithesome, witching Spring is here! 
Matchless songs from thrush and robin 
Blend with hopes in hearts a-throbbing; 
Brightest time of all the year. 
When earth's redolent of cheer, 
And God seemeth very near. 



% 



NATURE'S GOLD. 

IFE'S great struggle is for gold, 
^'Hard and yellow, bright and cold, 
Price of many a crime untold." 



POEMS. 63 

Better gold all may possess — 
Gold of hope — of righteousness; 
Gold of peace — of blessedness. 

Gold God gives us without stint, 
Gold that's coined in Nature's mint, 
Gold unmixed with grime and flint. 

Golden sunshine He doth give; 
Golden grain, that we may live; 
Golden grace, that says, "Forgive.^ 

G<)ld in daffodils we see. 
Gold in buttercups have we, 
Gold in lily chalice, free. 

Gold in skies that arch our way, 
Gold that makes life's holiday. 
Gold that shines whene'er we pray. 

Nature's gold! 'Tis this we crave. 
This the gold that makes soul brave — 
Golden Love, that lights the grave. 



64 POEMS. 

GLADNESS. 

^f74^ E'S singing a song of glad delight, 
llo/ '^^^^ apple blossoms pink and 
white ; 
The perfume blends with the music rare, 
His life is free from cumbering cara 

Dear little bird in the apple tree, 
Trilling thy song for me, for me ! 
My heart was sad till I heard thee sing. 
But joyous thoughts do now upspring. 

Sweet lesson of cheer I'll learn from thee. 
Blithe minstrel friend in the apple tree; 
I'll banish grief from souls that are sad. 
Thy gospel preach : "Be glad ! be glad !" 

MOKNING. 



XL 



HE earth is awaking from sleep. 
The angels are ceasing to keep 
Vigil o'er slumbering hosts. 



From darkness the daylight is bom. 
From shadow comes roseate morn; 
Mists vanish like ghosts. 



POEMS. 65 

Sealed eyes are awaking to life, 
All nature with action is rife; 

The singing of birds is heard. 
The sun in bright glory appears, 
His radiance banishes fears — 

"Let there be light !'' is God's word. 

EVOLVED. 

STARLIGHT gleams behind the cloud, 
Sunbeams slant through showers; 
Verdure rich springs from decay. 
Tiny buds make flowers. 
Thus doth joy from sorrow wake, 
Thus doth life fresh vigor take 
From the cloud that lowers. 

NATURE'S LARGESS. 

^ 1^ OU wonder why your eyes are blue, 
I ^ Dear child of heavenly birth; 

^^--^ It is because they caught the hue 
Of radiant skies that you passed through 
In transit to the earth. 



66 POEMS 



A second wonder is your lips, 

Those priceless ruby twins, 
That came 'cross unknown seas in ships 
From lands whose opulence outstrips 

The gold that fancy spins. 

You marvel, too, at roseate tint 

In cheeks so lily pure; 
But Nature beauty will not stint, 
And from her choicest sea-shell mint 

She gave you this, I'm sure. 



Another largess richly rare 

This Lady Bountiful 
Bestowed — a wealth of golden hair, 
To cro^Ti the head of lassie fair 

And make her beautiful. 



And now you know, my gleesome elf, 

Whence came your tintings fine, 
Which far transcend all worldly pelf, 
And incarnate in your sweet self 
The gems of Nature's mine. 



POEMS. 67 



A SONG OF MAY. 

HE woods are vocal with the songs 
Of feathered warblers gay; 
All nature is attuned to glee, 
For 'tis the joyous May. 



tr 



The resurrective power of spring 

Is throbbing in the air, 
And underneath its magic spell 

The world grows wondrous fair. 

There's perfume in the lily bell; 

A subtle odor rare 
From rose and violet is distilled ;— 

There's perfume everywhere. 

I am quite sure Earth never wore 
Garb of more splendid ray 

Than that in which she now appears, 
Apparelled as Queen May. 

Bright days of yore come back again; 

We've found the Wonderland ! 
In Fount of Youth we blissful lave, 

And seize enchanter's wand. 



68 POEMS. 



The year is keeping holiday, 
And we with fairies dance, 

Laughing and singing merrily, 
Since life is glad romance. 

AUTUMN. 



3 



ATHED in beauty past describing 
Is this autumn world to-day; 
Eock-ribbed mountains, purple- 
shadowed, 
Outlined 'gainst skies of blue-gray, 
Without speech are saying to us: 
"Worship God alway." 

Thrill of ecstasy we're feeling 
In this beauteous world to-day; 

Wonderland fires are brilliant gleaming, 
Eeflex of the sun's bright ray, 

And their radiance soul illumines 
As we softly pray. 

Heart of universe pulsateth 
With sweet harmony to-day. 



POEMS. 69 

And the inner world respondeth 
To the outer world's glad lay, 

As we twine for queenly autumn 
Coronal of deathless bay. 

•I 

THE WINTER MINSTREL. 



tr 



HE feathered bards have flown 
To sunny lands more fair; 
Outside, the snow-drifts lie, 
Within, so free from care, 
The cricket's chirp is heard, 

A tuneful roundelay. 
That rivals nightingale's 
In balmy month of May. 

What matter moaning winds 

Or frozen, leafless trees. 
When in the heart of home 

We've minstrels gay like these. 
The outer world's forgot; 

Aroma of sw^eet rose 
Is mingled with each chirp 

While summer sunshine glows. 



HUMOR. 



(71) 



ma 



POEMS. 73 



BECAUSE. 

HEN I ask why you love me 
You archly reply, 
'Twixt dimples and blushes, 
"Because — that is why !" 



Then to vary your answer, 

You give a half sigh, 
"I love you, I love you, 

Because — that is why!" 

'Tis a woman's sole reason; 

Her wits always fly 
When asked why she loves yon- 

"Because — that is why !" 

E'en the wisest of women 
Will always thus pause, 

And foolishly stammer: 
"Because y love, because F^ 

And if wise legislation 

We Solons should try, 
They'd still keep on saying: 

"Because — that is why I'' 



74 POEMS 



JILTED. 

'M kinder sad, yet sorter glad 
You answered with a nay; 
It hurts my pride, but, that aside, 
I'll thankful be some day. 



1 



Kind Proverdence removed you hence — j 

This view I wisely take. | 

I'll not renew my suit with you, 

For there's too much at stake. a 

A man's a fool to sigh and pule j 

At woman's cruel nay ; j 

He bears no scars from Cupid's wars, — j 

Love's god don't fight that way. j 

I'll go ahead, and leave unsaid i 

Soft, sentermental things; \ 

Rememberin' this, there ain't much bliss ' 

In courtin' gals with wings. \ 

Some day, perchance, I'll see askance ' 

The woman Fate designed \ 

To be my bride, and at her side J 

I'll live, and be resigned. | 



POEMS. 75 

Till fateful time when bells shall chime 

On that millennial day, 
I'll laugh and flirt but not get hurt, 

For turn about's fair play. 

A WOMAN'S ANSWER. 

^^^^O you love me? Sweetheart, say, 
^5^/ Do you love me?" — "Nay, nay, 

nay! 
I'm not loving any man ; 
I am shaping my life's plan 
By the guidance of True Love, 
Seekino: His will Who's above. 



■^fe 



"Love like this will not decay 
Like the love encased in clay, 
For it is a substance true, 
Such as love like yours ne'er knew. 

"Ah ! you think you love me well, 
But I think that time will tell 
It was caprice, that was all. 
Nothing real — Fancy's call. 



76 POEMS. 

"Love's illusions can't allure 

From duty's path a heart that's pure; 

So I bid you comfort find 1 

In another more inclined 

To have her life with yours entwined.^ j 

THE MOSQUITOS, ' ' | 

f DREAMED yester-night 
The skeeters didn't bite, I 

But when I awoke 
Alas ! 'twas a joke. ; 

My face in the light ! 

Was in dolorous plight, 1 

And all I could do 

Was to wail and boo-hoo! ^ 

I could not be seen I 

By maid or by queen, j 

And was forced to decline ! 

An invitation to dine. ! 

The soiree at eve \ 

My spirit did grieve; 
So a prisoner lone 
In my room I made moan, 



POEMS. 77 



The only redress 

Mj marred face to press 

With handkerchief steeped 

In tears I did weep, 

And to utter a prayer 

That skeeters beware, 

As dear Uncle Sam 

Will soon banish them, 

When no more we'll complain 

Of malaria and pain. 

The glad thought of that time 
Is the source of this rhyme; 
And we'll sound a Te Deum 
When no more we shall see 'em. 



MOUSIE'S FATE. 

©NE night, when the light had just 
vanished, 
I heard my trap click. 
And then, very quick, 
Came squealing of mouse that was fam- 
ished. 



78 POEMS 



That sound on the air ended my prayer, 

For the S. P. C. A. 

Would have something to say 
Should cries continue and I not care. 

'Twas not devout, but I hastened out 

To relieve the woe 

Of my tiny foe 
Whose life was fleeting by steel-trap route. 

"Dear mousie," I said, "you'll soon be dead ; 

It does seem a shame, 

But me do not blame 
For blow impending upon your head. 

"Could you not hear when I warned you, 
dear, 
Of trap I would set 
For my little pet 
Who scampered through rooms without 
fear? 

"I endured it long; it w^as so wTong 

That you did not heed, 

But for stomach's greed 
Let my warning pass like soothless song. 



POEMS. 79 

" 'Tis too late now, for Hannibars vow, 

No Koman to spare, 

Is one that I dare 
To enforce at this moment, I trow!" 

Do not ask how I fulfilled that vow, 

But mousie was dead 

And I in my bed, 
With no mark of contrition on brow. 

A robber was he from whom I'm free. 

So I'll sleep till day, 

For mice will not play 
'Round corse of their mate to-night — he! he! 

H 
THE TRAVELER. 

f'VE been a mighty traveler, 
I've seen such wondrous 
sights, 
I've been among the Andes, 
On Chimborazo's heights. 

I've roamed through sunny Africa, 

I've compassed icy Pole, 
I've felt the breath of Simoon, 

I've reached explorer's goal. 



8o POEMS. 



I've sated my ambition 

For lands beyond the seas; 

Yet, notwithstanding all this, 
I've traveled at my ease. 

Most gladly I've partaken 
Of plantain, bread fruit, yam; 

There's nothing that's escaped me, 
Not even date of palm. 

On famous steed of Arab, 

On ship of desert true, 
On back of faithful llama, 

I've had experience new. 

I've had a feast of reason 

In famous cities old ; 
And in poor heathen India 

I've seen gods made of gold. 

Though traveling is expensive— 
"The Paradise of fools"— 

Yet travel such as mine's been 
Is learned in modern schools. 



POEMS. 8i 

My books were vade mecums, 

My taste directed all, 
And in imagination 

I've roamed this terrene ball. 

No bona fide traveler 

Was e'er so free as I, 
And if of true enjoyment 

You'd taste, my method try. 

MAGGIE'S COGITATIONS. 

f'M always glad when Friday comes 
For then I'm free till Monday. 
Next day I'll roam and have good 
time; 
Then go to church on Sunday. 
I'll sleep till ten, and then — and then — 

I'll have a good warm dinner; 
But, lack-a-day! at six they say: 

"Come, Maggie, you young sinner, 
Your mother's sick and can't get up, 

The baby's roused the neighbors ; 
You're needed here at once; get up!'' 
So I begin my labors. 



82 POEMS 



'Tis work, work, work — incessant work; 

Oh, how I long for school time ! 
For those bad children me distract, 

And fill with thought of savage crime. 
Ah! ne'er again will I complain, 

Or call my school a prison. 
An education's what I need. 

For nursing's not my mission; 
So I'll go back and be so good 

My teacher'll hardly know me; 
As student, I'll excel the class, 

And wisdom true she'll show me. 

LEWIS. 

f'M my mother's special joy, 
Just a little blue-eyed boy ; 
Curls a-clust'ring 'round my neck, 
And with cute tricks by the peck ; 
Nicest boy you ever see — 
Wonder what you fi^ik of me? 

I'm a mighty fighter, too; 
Beat my cousin black and blue 



POEMS. 83 

When I went to visit him, 
Little fellow, lithe and trim. 
With his fists he'd bravely fight, 
While I'd scratch and tear and bite 
With the most intense delight; 
Then, with tears a-flowing fast 
We would hug and kiss at last^ 
Clever boys in sorry plight! 

Now my name you want to know — 
Like sweet music hear it flow; 
Don't you be in such a hurry ! 
It is Lewis Barney Murray. 



MEMORIAL. 



(85) 



Jf 



POEMS. 87 



JUST A FKIEND. 

UST a friend whose heart was true, 
Just a friend whose nature knew 
Naught of guile — whose spirit drew 

Upward to its God. 



Just a friend whose life was pure, 
One whose friendship was secure, 
Who affliction did endure 
With fortitude sublime. 

Just a friend who could impart 
Comfort to a soul distraught, 
And who had the happy art 
To soothe life's sorrows. 

Just a friend whose softest tone, 
Breathed into the ear of one 
Whose lone heart was all a-moan. 
Evoked sweet music. 

Just a friend that you could trust, 
One whose thoughts were ever just, 
And who, sleeping in the dust. 
We mourn most truly. 



88 POEMS 



Just a friend ! What bitter pain 
To lose such friend, for in vain 
We seek to find his like again, 
Since God hath called him. 

THE COTTAGE BY THE RILL. 

'^^ HERE'S a wailing in the wind, 
^^ There's a sadness undefined. 
In the cottage by the rill; 
For the best beloved of all 
Has responded to God's call, 
And the voice we loved is still. 

She has found sweet rest in Him, 
But our eyes with tears are dim 

For the cottage by the rill 
Can be home for us no more, 
Since the one we did adore 

Ne'er again life's niche can filL 

Ah ! our soul is deeply wrought. 
For there's anguish in the thought 
That the cottage by the rill 



POEMS. 89 



Nevermorell enshrine the band 
Widely scattered o'er the land 
With hearts estranged and chill. 

Through the mists of mem'ry we, 
Looking backward, radiant see 

That blest cottage by the rill 
With its old-time love and cheer, 
Filled with recollections dear 

That our hearts will ever thrill. 

NOT SATISFIED.* 



S 



OMETHING was the matter 
With our bright-faced child, 
And for weeks together 
She had seldom smiled. 



"What's the trouble, darling?^ 

Was my query bold. 
And with sobs of anguish 

She her story told. 

* To Ada M.. Metuchen, N. J. 



90 POEMS 



*'0h! I am not happy!" 

And lier little frame 
Was with grief a-quiver — 

Grief without a name. 

"I'm so afraid that I'll 

Not be satisfied 
When I get to Heaven !" 

The wee maiden cried. 

Outright I would have laughed 

At grief so absurd, 
Had not feeling tender 

All my being stirred. 

"Get there first, my darling; 

Trust God for the rest, 
For a loving Father 

I Giveth what is best." 

f 

'Twas a real sorrow 

That our wee one vexed; 

Question deeper never 
Our own soul perplexed. 



POEMS. 91 

So strange to me it seemed, 

In those bright days of yore, 
Such odd query troubled 

Little child of four. 

"Satisfied with Heaven!" 

Bliss beyond compare ! 
We with saints and martyrs 

Would that bright world share. 

MY FKIEND. 

^'9'¥^HE words of cheer he spoke to me 
wL Will ever live in memory; 

How good it was to have a friend 
Whose thoughts with mine did sweetly 
blend. 

The cordial grasp of his warm hand, 
The generous gifts he freely planned, 
The sympathy, almost divine — 
Were gracious types of soul benign. 



Measured by time it is not lon^ 



Since he did join Heaven's holy throng, 



But, oh! it seems so long to me 
Since I did last that dear friend see. 



^1 POEMS 



My heart is sick when I contrast 
Those bright, fleet days from out the past 
With these, so full of murk and care, 
With no kind friend my grief to share. 

They tell me that my friend is dead; 
It is not so! He's only fled, 
Like birds we've known in olden time, 
To fairer land, more genial clime. 

What bliss it is to know he's free 

From all the woes that here we see! 

We cast off self; we upward move. 

With Faith's glad cry, '^Our God is Love !" 

•5 



1^ 



VICTORIA. 

ICTORIA Regina, the world weeps to- 
day! 
The nations are mourning; our 
hearts tribute pay. 



Illustrious ruler, proud Empress and 

Queen, 
Thy peer on the throne has but rarely been 

seen. 



POEMS. 93 

Thy counsels were ever for justice and 
peace ; 

Alas! that in warfare thy soul found re- 
lease ! 

Thy heart was enstamped with true woman- 
hood's worth, 

Far richer and nobler than came from thy 
birth. 

As daughter, as mother, as wife thou did'st 

shine 
With luster resplendent like gems of the 

mine. 

A lady of culture, with dignified mien, 
Thou wast a fit type of the world's greatest 
queen. 

We read of thy home-life, so lovely and true, 
And yield thee a homage vouchsafed to but 
few. 

The dear Lord was gracious to shield thee 

from pain 
For so many years of thy glorious reign. 



94 POEMS 



We grieve that thy sunset was clouded with 

woes, 
That sorrow disturbed thy last earthly re- 

j)ose. 

From Osborne, from Windsor, from all thy 

domain, 
Thou hast passed to Heaven, thy guerdon to 

gain; 

And the Child of the King sits enthroned in 

the skies. 
Caught up from earth's tears into God's 

Paradise. 

THE WISHING TEEE.* 

HNOTHEE dear landmark's a thing of 
the past 
That old wishing-tree that we loved 
to the last. 
How fondly we loved it we never can tell; 
Each time we saw it was like chiming of 



bell. 



* The ffimous old live-oak that drooped over the stone- 
wall enclosing the extensive grounds of Governor Taze- 
well's home on Granby Street, Norfolk, Va. 



POEMS. 95 

It spoke to our souls with mysterious sound; 
With link cabalistic to it we were bound. 

We never could pass 'neath its verdant 

boughs 
That we heard not the whisper of tender 

vows. 
It was only the echo of tones long fled, 
For that tree was instinct with voice of the 

dead; 
But in twilight's calm, sweet communion 

had we 
With dear vanished friends through that 

whispering tree. 

'Mid its green branches fondly nestled the 

dove; 
To it were confided sweet stories of love. 
'Twas true to all lovers who to it appealed; 
Those wonderful secrets it never revealed. 
Ah ! how much more faithful was that dear 

old tree 
Than we who are human, with whom secrets 

are free. 



96 POEMS. 

Such wishes were made by the young and 

the fair! 
So often they asked for life free from all 

care; 
But wishes like these find no answer on 

earth, 
Since care is our dower from moment of 

birth. 
Some wishes, no doubt had fulfillment most 

sweet ; 
Those coy young wishers happy wives now 

we meet. 

Thou dear Wishing Tree, spreading forth 

like green bay, 
The great giant Progress came striding thy 

way; 
Forthwith gave he order to uproot the tree 
That God had appointed for soul's ministry. 
"Why cumber the earth when town lots are 

so dear? 
For just on this spot shall appear Pioneer/' 

No room in the city for sentiment sweet ; 
'Tis business, that only, of which men can 
treat; 



POEMS. 97 



Fair Mammon's the idol, the shibboleth's 

"gold"— 
The beauties of nature too oft have been 

told. 
Away to the wildwood most gladly we'll 

hie, 
And live till we pass to "the Sweet By and 

By." 



INVOCATION. 
♦fl^OW can you be happy up there in the 

WD ^^^^^ 

When I am so lonely down here? 
You always gave comfort when heart was 
oppressed ; 
Withhold not that comfort now, dear. 

Your visible presence no more can I see, 
But spirit with spirit may roam ; 

And down in the dust I've entreated my 
Lord 
That thus you may enter our home. 



98 POEMS 



Oh! I would not murmur that God called 
you hence, — 
For His way is ever the best, — 
But, darling, my desolate heart you must 
soothe 
With some of your heavenly rest. 



f 



ENSHADOWED.* 

T seems so strange, so very strange, 
On this bright Christmas day. 
To miss thee from our fold of love: 
Earth's now so cold and gray. 



Such mockery it seems to be 

To smile or laugh to-day, i 

Since thou, the dearest of our band, 
Art sleeping -neath the clay. 

Deep loneliness abides in hearts, 

Thou wert with us alway; 
No Christmas day we ever knew 

With home's blest lamb astray. 

* Tenderly inscribed to my friend, Mrs. S., of Nor- 
folk, Va. 



POEMS. 99 

We call aloud for thee, dear one, 

And reverently we pray; 
But echo is the sole response — 

Like thee, God's far away. 

Though hearts are breaking, dear, I know 

Thou wouldst not have us say 
That God is cruel or unkind, 

Or Faith hath lost her way. 

However desolate our lives 

On this sad Christmas day, 
We'll heavenward look, with faith renewed, 

And trust our God for aye. 

MEMORIA IN ETERNA. 

^T ONG months have sped since God 
-^^ did lay 

Upon thy heart His finger cold. 
Bidding it pulse on earth no more. 
But upward pass through gates of gold. 

God claimed thy life ! Full long hadst thou 
Known disappointment's cruel stings; 

Too proud and sensitive thou wast 
To longer cope with earthly things. 



L 



loo POEMS. 

Dear generous friend, with heart so true, 

An inspiration to us all ! 
A type of manhood's noblest worth, — 

Gone far beyond our pleading call. 

*^Thy will be done!" On bended knee 
We say it oft, with soul that's brave, 

But, oh, how hard it is to yield 
Our best beloved to cruel grave! 

We miss thee so! No time can dim 
Thine image stamped upon our soul; 

A crown thy martyrdom hast won. 
While we still struggle for the goal. 

MY MOTHER. 

'(Obit September 4, 1895.)' 

SHE gave me life, she gave me love, 
She gave herself to me; 
On fleshly tablet of the heart, 
Engraved fore'er is she. 

Sure never yet had anyone 

A mother such as she; 
God's own dear child in human guise, — 

A captive now set free. 



POEMS. loi 

Unsel fishy ali, word coined for her! 

Of self she never thought. 
A gentle, patient, suffering one, 

Love's threads her life web wrought. 

How wise was she! What lofty aims 

Impressed she on our mind ! 
Great thoughts had she, expressed with 
force ; — 

She left those thoughts behind! 

Thou rarely gifted mother true! 

As writer cogent, clear. 
With voice of liquid melody, 

That floats now on my ear. 

No soul was ever higher keyed, 

No life had nobler aim; 
Ambition to be what God wished 

Is linked with her dear name. 

Deep sorrows gashed into her heart; 

Her life was one of pain ; 
"Perfect through suffering/' God decreed; 

His grace did her sustain. 



102 POEMS. 



"At evening time it shall be light," 

Ah, promise sweetly true, 
For when the convoy band she joined 

Effulgent Light she knew. 

For her sunshine, for me midnight; 

Such anguish heart ne'er cleft. 
"I want my mother !'' was the cry, 

Like little child bereft. 

"T can do nothing more for her!" 
Throbbed forth with deepest pain; 

The burthen of that anguished thought 
Will be my life refrain. 

Though frail and shadow^y she was, 
Like phalanx grand stood she 

'Twixt me and earth's embattled foes; 
Secure was I and free. 

That phalanx gone, a thousand spears 
Came rushing at my heart; 

And since God called her spirit home 
From love I've felt apart. 



POEMS. 103 

A homeless wand'rer here I roam, 

Inspired by hope divine 
That, when life's latest breath shall come, 

In Heaven she will be mine. 



THE ANSWERED PEAYER. 

H DAINTY little maiden, 
Arrayed in spotless white, 
Most patiently was sewing; 
Off slipped the needle bright. 

The mystery of threading 
Quite baffled her young mind. 

"Pease wed my needle, 'ister, 
For I am a'most blind." 

But sister for companion 

Had Little Fauntleroy, 
And no ear had for wee one 

In time of such great joy. 

* To Aline M., Metuchen, N. J. 



I04 POEMS 



The bright young face grew troubled; 

"Hunny Bunny, tan't you heai'? 
My needle's turn unwedded, 

Pease wed it, 'ister dear.'' 

Still sister sat unconscious, 
For with such royal guest 

She knew naught of the sorrow 
Of little one sore pressed. 

Now light flashed on the darkness, 
For Faith was her strong shield, 

And Aline's face grew radiant 
Since faith could victory yield. 

In attitude imploring, 

With reverent, downcast eyes, 
We hear her softly murmur 

To Father in the skies: 

"Pease wed my needle, 'ister,'' 
For Twist's dear sake, Amen.'* 

The prayer was quickly answered, 
Aline was happy then. 



POEMS. 105 

The deaf ears were unstopped, 

The book was cast aside, 
And of the Kingdom such are these, 

Who shall with God abide. 

MEMORIALS. 

'^^^HE best memorial of a life that's 
^^^ ended 

Is not graven on sepulchral stone, 
But it is the gracious influence blended 

With the lives that for that lost life moan, 
And brave record of a holy faith defended — 

Lacking which there's nothing will atone. 

SHAKESPEARE. 

fMMORTAL child of fame, 
At mention of thy name 
Impassioned thought doth rise, 
Thou King in lowly guise. 

Shakespeare, transcendent one! 

Thou wondrous dowered soa 

Of Drama and of Song 

Who thrill 'st the world's vast throng. 



io6 POEMS 



Shakespeare, thou ne'er canst die, 
To soul thou wilt be nigh 
While time's gold orb doth shin^^ 
Thou King of bards divine! 

H 

DEATHLESS. 

^(In Memory of Nellie.) 

©N vital ray 
Caught from life's golden Sun, 
She winged away 
To Heaven and Holy One. 

The chrysalis 
That shrined her spirit pure 

Now broken is — 
The cast-off garb she wore. 

A seraph bright, 
Earth's mission she fulfilled; 

A flower of light, 
An incense sweet distilled. 



POEMS. 107 

In phantasy 
Our darling one still lives, 

For memory 
Her vision deathless gives. 

Enrapturing thought! 
To enter Paradise 

No change is wrought 
In soul, life's one true prize! 

WITH THE IMMORTALS. 



(3 



ONE to dwell with the immortals. 
In that far-off, deathless land. 
Gone to live with God forever 
Is the dearest of our band. 



Though our hearts are filled with sadness. 

There's no shadow of despair. 
For our missing one is dwelling 

In God's home of love so fair. 

Earth hath lost its rainbow splendor 
Since thine eyes no longer shine. 

And love's lute no more respondeth 
To thy touch, dear father mine. 



io8 POEMS 



Thy pure life was like the chalice 

Of a lily, fragrant, white; 
Its aroma still exhaleth 

Though thy form is lost to sight. 

We are living 'mongst the dying, 

Thou in blest immortal land. 
Where we hope, earth's sorrows ended, 

We shall form united band. 

H 
ST. VINCENT'S. 

(Norfolk, Va., 1901.) 

•yj^fH[ ITH a pride we cannot measure, 
^^^^ With a love that's pure and 
free. 
We have seen 'thy redivivus 
In our City by the Sea. 

Glorious things of thee were spoken 

In the days of Isadore, 
And thy gracious work of healing 

Was alike for rich and poor. 



POEMS. 109 

God's own temple wast thou truly, 

And like ministers divine 
Were those white cornetted Sisters, 

Gentle-voiced, with face benign. 

To the calmness of thy temple 

Bore we oft our holiest, 
That with gentle ministrations 

They might enter into rest. 

Ah! those weary days of watching. 
With their nights so full of pain. 

And the anguish of those partings — 
How they all come back again! 

But that memory-haunted building 
Has now vanished from our sight, 

And from out its ashes rises, 
Phcenix-like, thy vision bright. 

In the freshness of thy splendor 

Thou art lovely as a bride, 
With great promises of service 

That should quicken civic pride. 



no POEMS. 

There is room in our fair city 
For all works that are humane; 

And when working for the Master 
Let us lose the greed of gain. 

Not with narrow creed of bigot 
Are we dreading thy success, 

But, with charity unbounded, 
Bid God-speed thy usefulness. 



DEVOTIONAL. 



'("ly 



POEMS. 113 



HIS PRESENCE. 

HY will be mine, my will be Thine," 
With consecrated heart we sing- 
When self is lost in life divine 
And soul obeisance pays its King. 



Z 



The entrance of this royal Guest — • 
Incarnate once as we are now — 

Brings balm of hope to soul distressed. 
And lifts us from despair's deep slough. 

His presence maketh all things new; 

There's blessed change without, within, 
And sunbeams bright with lilies strew 

The life-way darkened once by sin. 



B 



IN THE GLOAMING. 

MID the deepening shadows. Lord, 
We come to Thee, 
For soul has found a resting place 
Secure and free. 



114 POEMS. 

The shadows are aglow with light 

And Deity, 
And the blest shining of Thy face 

Makes darkness flee. 

How sweet amid life's dissonance 

To know Thy peace, 
And that for earthly grief and care 

There is surcease. 
A pitying Lord doth hear our cries 

And grant release, 
When we in broken sobs of prayer 

Implore His peace. 

LIVE THY CKEED. 

^f IVE thy creed, O soul of mine! 
/S^ Naught has worth that's not divine. 

Words are valueless compared 
With brave deeds for conscience dared; 
Thought has great uplifting power, 
But the living of each hour 
Gives the grand immortal dower; 
Therefore press toward heavenly goal, 
Living out thy creed, O soul ! 



POEMS. 115 



PATIENCE. 

BE patient with thyself/' 
Said Fenelon of old; 
A kernel of sweet truth 
These w^ords to us unfold. 

To dwell in holy calm 

With dual self within ; 
To live without a clash 

With our owm sacred twin — 

Supernal virtue this, 

A gem of ray serene; 
Blest mystic bridge that links 

This world with world unseen. 



XT 



TO PAIN. 

RANSFOEMING power hast thou, O 
Pain! 
When's passed thine hour we sing 



We're gladder then than e'er before, 
And woeless men we pity more; 



ii6 POEMS 



With eyes unholden, see God's way, 
With faith emboldened, learn to pray. 
Thou dost not rend our soul in vain; 
Disguised friend art thou, O Pain! 

CALLED. 

y^ALLED into the grace of 

^^ Christy- 

Called into the holy life, 
Out of the darksome night, 
To walk with Him in white, 

Soul unspotted by earth's strife. 

"Called into the grace of Christ" — 
Inner peace for worldly din; 
Heaven on earth begun. 
Glorious victories won 
After conflicts sharp with sin. 
1^ 
HE KNOWS. 



(3 



OD'S living gift within us, 

The sacred soul that grows 
By sweet communion wich Him, 
Like Sharon's blooming Rose, 



POEMS. 117 

Makes glad our arid nature 

And calms with blest repose 
The turbulence of passion 

With thought, "He knows, He knows." 



t 



SILENCE. 

N the stillness of the ocean 
Is a silence that's sublime; 
And the soul, released from moor* 



Triumphs over sense and time. 

In the misty blue of mountains 
There's a silence that's profound; 

And the spirit, rapt, communeth 
With the God who's all around. 

Ah, this silence! 'Tis like Heaven; 

Blessed peace for worldly din ! 
Silence! silence! rapturous silence! 

Walk we softly — God's within! 



ii8 POEMS 



BE CHEERY. | 

\ 

♦|f;W EART of mine, why art thou dreary ' 

II 1 When Wisdom says, "Be cheery"? I 

Why shudder at the cold, ' 

Why lose thy blessed hold 

On loveliness and youth, ! 

And cry in vain for Truth? 

Be cheery, aye, be cheery! [ 

Be glad, be glad, O heart of mine! 

Sweet trust makes sun forever shine. ) 

No vain and mocking show \ 

Is this life here below; 

'Tis full of wise intent, 

God's w^ays beneficent. ■ 

Let golden glint of trust be thine. j 

^ i 

J 
THE MOTHER'S FAREWELL. 

ROM home life pure to sinful world 

You go, my child, to-day; | 

I fold my arms about yuu, dear, ^ 

And fondly for you pray. j 



^ 



POEMS. 119 

The panoply of Love Divine 

Must shield you in the fray; 
The holy power of mother's love 

Must be your guiding ray. 

Remember, child, how sacred is 

The life you bear within ; 
Remember this, — you'll victor be 

In conflicts sharp with sin. 

Be true to principles instilled, 

Remembering you're akin 
To Him, the tempted and the true; 

And thus Life's crown you'll win. 



STRENGTH FOR THE WEARY. 

f'VE grown tired upon life's highway, 
Limbs are trembling, heart's op- 
pressed ; 
I would turn to cooling byw^ay, 
Seeking for my soul sweet rest. 



I20 POEMS 



I am weary of the rushing 

And the whir of business ; 
All the better life they're crushing, 

Filling soul with deep distress. 

Wherefore all this tumult, riot, 
Which on nerves and brain so jar, 

When we're longing for the quiet 
Of the Blessed Land afar? 

O my soul! look upward ever, 

Craving naught the Lord's denied; 

There is strength in blest endeavor, — 
Christ for us was crucified. 



f 



JOY BELLS. 

'M glad I am alive to-day, 
Such rapture spirit raises; 



My heart doth sing, my soul doth 
ring 
With God's eternal praises. 



POEMS. 121 



We've no time here for sigh or tear, 
We should be brave in sorrow, 

For rainbow arch, in our life march, 
We see to-day, to-morrow. 

With mercies sweet, with love complete, 

My life is brimming over. 
Some souls are sad, but mine is glad, 

And angels o'er me hover. 

The joy bells ring within my soul 

Because I love to ponder 
Of that blest time when they shall chime 

In holy land up yonder. 

HAPPINESS. 

^^ 0-DAY so bright and happy is 
^^ I cannot think of care; 

I'm gliding to the music sweet 

Of joys ecstatic, rare. 
Glad sunshine gleams from darkest nook- 

There's beauty everywhere; 
My heart and soul are steeped in bliss, 

And life's supremely fair. 



122 POEMS. 

To-morrow's sun may fail to shine, 

But I'll be happy now, — 
Deep shadows fall athwart my sky, 

I know not why nor how. 
I'm in my Father's keeping true; 

He'll guard from danger's slough; 
In storm or shine He's ever mine — 

My Pilot at the prow. 

THE HEAVENLY CALL. 



© 



UE eyes are holden; to our sight 
There is no glimpse of guiding 



light;— 



Our ears are deaf, and fail to hear 

The heavenly host that's chanting near; 

But spite of this, the light is there, 
And music throbs on the ambient air. 
Some day the scales from our eyes will fall, 
Some day our ears hear the angels call. 

It may not be while pulse is high 
That soul will cleave the upper sky ; 
But some sweet day a whisper low 
Will call us home from world below. 



POEMS. 123 



EASTER. 

/iJJJ RIEF has lost its mournful tread, 
^Jfj Christ is risen from the dead! 
And on this auspicious morn 
Hope in sorrowing souls is born. 

Glory shines throughout the skies, 

Written 'tis in human eyes, 

For to-day a tomb's unsealed, 

And through earth glad tidings pealed. 

Roman sentinel and steel 
Powerless were to hold their seal; 
For, though tombed in solid rock, 
Christ arose, man's power to mock. 

Mists of midnight disappear; 
"Christ is risen !" greets the ear. 
Doubt is vanished; holy trust 
Springs triumphant from the dust. 



124 POEMS. 



B 



HOMEWAED. 

VERY wave is charmed that bears 
me homeward; 
The port for which I steered is 
now in sight; 
Fear is gone; unharmed, I'm si)eeding on- 
ward ; 
Life's cruise well ended, now come Home — 
delight ! 



'A PRAYER. 

^^AVIOUR, more than life Thou art; 
J^y Dwell forever in my heart! 

Be Thou hope and strength to me, 
Let me duty clearly see 
Till from sin I am made free, 
And safe anchorage shall find 
In blest haven of mankind 
Just across the shininsr sea. 



t 



POEMS. 125 



INTO THY HANDS. 

NTO Thy hands, O Father! 
We commit to-day 
The loved one Thou art taking 
From our home away. 



Into Thy hands! We'll not grieve 

Though we miss fore'er 
The sunshine and the sparkle 

That made life so fair. 

Into Thy hands ! Blissful thought 
That rainbows each tear, 

And gives a silver lining 
To grief's cloud so drear. 

Into Thy hands we shall yield 
The soul shrined in clay 

When Thou for us shalt call 
Some sweet, solemn day. 



126 POEMS. 



m 



OCTOBEE IITH. 

NTHINKINGLY I wrote this date, 
Then on my soul there rose 
A vision of supreme delight 
Which God to mortal shows. 

The chains of worldliness fell off; j 

To spirit was revealed j 

The duties high of soul set free; j 

To conscience they appealed. j 

Asleep I'd been so many years, j 

Like Kip Van Winkle old, j 

But God awoke me with a kiss ; 

To enter His dear fold. | 

. \ 
Such ecstasy divine I knew! ; 

Its bliss I cannot tell, ' 

For those bright days that came and went j 

Had chime of Heaven's bell. : 

Long years have glided by since then; i 

TVe most unfaithful been; 
To other souls I have not showed ! 

That I was free from sin. ! 



POEMS. 127 

To-day I stand convicted, Lord, 
At court of conscience grave; 
In deep humility I bow; 
Thy mercy, pardon, crave. 
n 
TRANSLATED. 

♦H^^ AD ST Thou been here my brother 
10 had not died!" 

So oft this plaintive wail our 
soul doth thrill 

That God's eternal presence we forget. 

His pitying love! It touched the fevered 
brow 

And quiv'ring nerves and heart so racked by 
pain, 

While underneath were Everlasting Arms. 

"It is enough, dear child; thou'st suffered 
long; 

Come speed thee hence across the border- 
land. 

I'll lead thee safe to my blest home on high. 

The house of many mansions, in which dwell 

Thy loved ones gone before. Come, follow 
me!'' 



128 POEMS. 

We did not hear the Voice that lured him 

forth, 
For only once 'tis heard by mortal ear, 
But quick response he gave to proffered 

Guide, 
And gladly sped to Home so bright and 

fair, 
While on the marble mold there was im- 
pressed. 
In sweetest smile, the kiss of Holy One 
As soul bade long adieu to earthly thrall, 
And upward winged its way to heavenly 

rest. 
Leaving earth desolate and hearts bereft. 



THE LIGHT OF LIFE. 

44g^ EFEAIN thy voice from weeping, 
11% '^^^ refrain thine eyes from 

tears," 
Jehovah hath commanded;— 
To the winds we give our fears. 



POEMS. 129 

Loving kindness hath drawn us; 

And, as shepherd doth his flock, 
God will gather us and keep us 

Underneath the sacred Rock. 

The weary soul's refreshed, 

Like a watered garden fair; 
The life that erst was saddened, 

Now has dropped its cross of care. 

Arise on wings of gladness, 

Sing from Zion's holy height 
Of the love wherewith God's loved us 
And of Christ, the world's true Light. 
•I 
THE TRANSFIGURATION. 

HWAY on a great high mountain. 
Apart from the rest of mankind, 
Stood three disciples together, 
With Jesus in centre enshrined. 

Transfigured he stood before them. 
The Master they loved so well. 

With raiment as white as the snow 
And love that no language could tell. 



130 POEMS 



A light more brilliant than sunshine 
Beamed forth from that heavenly face; 

Impetuous Peter outspoke: 

"It is good to be in this place!" 

Elijah and Moses they saw, 

And a Voice came out of the cloud; 
Of Sonship of Jesus it told, 

And low on the earth they bowed. 

With fear their spirits were tortured, 
For mortal and Immortal met 

On summit of lonely mountain 
Where sun ever rose or set. 

Then tenderly Jesus touched them 
With, "Arise, and be not afraid"; 

And, lifting their eyes toward him, 
No longer were they dismayed ; 

For Jesus, their Friend and Master, 

Alone did they see and hear. 
And never in long communion 

More loving did He appear. 



POEMS. 131 

And so wlien mysteries enshroud us, 

And our eyes are veiled from the light, 

If upward we'd look we'd see Him, 
Transfigured before our sight. 



IMMOKTAL. 

fMMORTAL till our work is done''— 
How comforting is this belief! 
At sunrise, noonday, set of sun, 
What matter when comes death's relief 
If our life's work is ended. 
And hovering hosts descended, 
To bear us home to God. 

Immortal! Watched by angel band 
No noisome pestilence can harm, 

Nor dagger from assassin's hand 
Can snap this tie of magic charm. 

The pilgrim worn and hoary. 

The babe enwrapped in glory, 
Alike immortal are. 



132 POEMS 



"Immortal till our work is done" — 

This sweet assurance buoys the soul, 
Helping earth's toilers, one b}^ one, 

To reach the great eternal goal. 
Robed in veil of life divine 
We shall in God's likeness shine, 
Forever — Forever ! 
•I 

THY WILL BE DONE. 

(Affectionately inscribed to my friend, Mrs. 
B. T. B., of Norfolk, Va.) 

^^O sorely stricken, Lord, am I 
TJl I scarce can lift my voice to cry : 

"Thy will be done, Thy will be 
done!" 

And yet, though heart be sore oppressed, 
I yield to Thy divine behest, 

Just strength to breathe: "Thy will be 
done!" 

Each idol of our household's gone. 
And I, alas ! am all alone. 

My plaintive wail : "Thy will be done t" 



POEMS. 133 

There's naught of happy home now left 
But haunting mem'ries, — I'm bereft, 

And pleading cry : "Thy will be done !" 

The years are speeding by so fast, 
Why should I grieve that I'm the last? 
Heed Thou my cry: "Thy will be 
done !" 

This chast'ning, Lord, hath needful been, 
For peace, sweet peace, it's left within. 
In faith I cry: "Thy will be done!" 

And when Thou callest me on high. 
My rev'rent soul will joyful cry : 

"Thy will be done ! Thy will be done !" 

A VISION OF HEAVEN. 

f CLOSE mine eyes that outer light 
May not affect the inner sight; 
And then I dream, sweet waking 
dream ! 
Of beauteous land eye hath not seen 
Of land of palms and lilies fair, 
A land that's free from every care. 



134 POEMS. 

The Kose of Sharon there I see 
Beside life's everlasting tree; 
And streets of gold and gates of pearl, 
But no mad rush or giddy whirl, 
Like that we see on earthly sphere, 
Though myriad souls are dwelling there. 

What dulcet strains mine ears salute! 

Before such music I stand mute. 

For never on this terrene sphere 

Have I heard sounds so sweet and clear, 

Exceeding chime of silver bells, 

This symphony which rapture tells. 

I see the friends I loved down here, 
Translated from this land of fear 
To dwell in realm of beauty there, 
And love immortal ever share. 
Ecstatic bliss! My spirits rise, 
And how I yearn for Paradise! 

To reach that land of living light 
We do not pass through rayless night, 
For Christ our heavenly Guide will be. 
His halo bright fore'er we'll see. 
Glad halleluiahs rend the air, 
And then we're home in Heaven so fair. 



POEMS. 135 



AT SUNSET. 

«|r IFE'S sun is fast setting, 
jy^ And I am forgetting 

All earthly things beside. 
I've no time for fretting, 
But I am just letting 

My thoughts with God's abide. 

Life's day was oft clouded, 
And fogs sometimes shrouded; 

Now there's gold in the west. 
Faith's sky is unclouded ; 
The doubts that enshrouded, 

yanished, have left soul rest. 

•I 
A WISH. 

HN earnest wish within my soul abides; 
'Tis this : that I may live so near to 
Christ, 
The One all-beautiful, that I may feel 
The tender benediction of His love, 



136 POEMS. 

And breathe with every breath His loving 

life 
Into mine own; and then, with spirit glad, 
Diffuse to other souls the fragrance rare 
Exhaled by life that hidden is in Him. 

A TWILIGHT SUPPLICATION. 

HBIDE with us ! The shades of even- 
ing fall; 
A hush is on the tumult of the 
w^orld, 
And faith in this pure silence craves for 

Thee. 
To us come in, O Spirit undefiled ! 
Thy sacred presence give to welcoming 

hearts, 
That dwell in clayey tenements so rude. 
Thou lowly Son of Man! Thou Triune 

God! 
Come in, and bless and break Thy bread 

divine. 
Our spirits hungered are by lasting long; 
To inner life refreshment give, O Lord ! 



POEMS. 137 

A benediction sweet this twilight hour, 
Succeeding conflicts sharp with outer 

world ; 
A holy calm that folds us in with Thee, 
Thou great indwelling Christ ! Thou Prince 

of Peace! 
Ere Thou shalt vanish, blest Invisible! 
Grant us the spirit's boon — to be like Thee. 

THANKFULNESS. 

^RflC Y heart bows down in thankfulness 
X^II3 ^^^ mingled blessings, Lord, 

For life with all its usefulness 
Combined with music's chord; 
For harmony that spirit wakes 

At touch of Hand Divine, 
For joyous thrill that stirs the heart 
At sound of Voice like Thine. 

Life's so replete with blessedness 

That we should not repine 
When lives that made our happiness 

Fond hearts no more entwine. 



T38 POEMS 



The splendors of our earthly way 

Should not obscured be 
By mysteries inscrutable; 

In faith we bow to Thee. 

BEYOND. 

♦H^EYOND the fair haunts of living 
Jj^ men, 

Beyond the far range of finite ken, 
Our dearest vanish and come not again. 

Beyond the pale of human endeavor, 
Beyond the Now to the vast Forever 
They speed ; but space fond hearts ne'er can 
sever. 

Beyond earth's vales to city unknown. 
Beyond the clouds to the Father's throne. 
Our loved ones pass, but are still our own. 

Beyond! Blessed realm of infinite bliss! 
Beyond! Bright Home that is fairer than 

this! 
The casket that shrines the heart gems we 

miss ! 



POEMS. 139 



THANKSGIVING. 

T'lTHI ITHIN my heart's a tender thrill 
^^^^ Of happiness to-day, 

For Thou dost, Lord, my whole 
life fill 
With thankfulness alway. 

No home of love and care I know 

On this Thanksgiving day ; 
But tears of grief no longer flow 

For loved ones far away. 

For blessings of those years long sped, 

Accept my thanks to-day; 
For friends in Heaven the world calls dead 

A tribute sad I pay. 

Thou'st given me health and strength, dear 
Lord, 

Take Thou my thanks to-day; 
A useful service dost accord. 

Warm thanks I humbly say. 



140 POEMS 



Thank offerings without surcease, 

On this auspicious day, 
I give for land of plenty, peace, 

That worships Thee this way. 

Deep gratitude comes welling up 

On this Thanksgiving day 
From heart that's filled from Mercy's cup 

"Thank God !" I fervent say. 

A CHRISTMAS CAROL. 



® 



H ! wonderful story. 

This story of Love, 
Which brought down from Glory 
God's Heavenly Dove. 



We sing it with fervor, 
With rapture repeat 

This story of Christ Child, 
Amazingly sweet. 

The love-life of Christmas, 
That broods in the air 

Should tender our spirits 
And make us more fair. 



POEMS. 141 

We'll love Him; we'll serve Him; 

We'll kneel at His feet, 
Like Magi of old time, 

With homage complete. 

And when God shall call us, 

His praises we'll sing 
For the world's great Redeemer, 

Our Saviour and King. 

COMFORT. 

7^1 THl ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ 

^^^^\ From the eyes that were so 
dear. 
And we're groping in the shadows 

Of a sorrow dark and drear, 
Come these words in pitying accents: 
"Child, I'm with thee; do not fear." 

Words of tenderness and comfort 

From the lips of God's own Son, 
Who, while passing through these earth 



scenes 



Saw life's work sublimely done, 



142 POEMS. 

And who gentle love and pity 
Gave to every troubled one. 

Aye! the deepest depths of sorrow 

May be pinnacles of bliss 
When we've found the loving favor 

Of a Saviour such as this; 
And with brave and loyal spirit 

We shall pass to those we miss. 

n 
GOD IS WITH US. 

>^TJ OD is with us !" Words of cheer 
^JlJ Sounding down the centuries 

clear 
From the lips of Wesley dear. 

With us in our holy creed, 
With us in our sorest need; 
Yea, He is our God indeed! 

Life would be a dreary world. 

When we're spurned by loved ones cold 

Did God's love not us enfold. 



POEMS. 143 



Strongest bulwark is that love; 
Pure and true like gentle dove — 
Naught we'll fear when He's above. 



^'God is with us !" We'll not shrink 
When we reach cold Jordan's brink, 
For we'll livina- w^ater drink. 



'& 



Yes, God's with us. We'll not dread 
To be numbered with the dead, 
For our faith He's strengthened. 

Going home, no more to die, 

"God is with us!" let us cry, 

Like Wesley true, w^ho dwells on high. 



RETROSPECTIVE. 



(145), 



POEMS. 147 



ASLEEP. 

TTlVfl -^ have gazed and gazed, like one 
^^^^ entranced, 

On the sleeping form of a 
darling child. 
And heard the low rhythm of life's strange 
tide 
While we dreamed sweet dreams for the 
undefiled. 

Again we have watched by some fragile 

one, 

And held onr breath with an inward awe, 

For the current moved with such feeble 

pulse 

That the angel Death we thought we saw. 

Ah, what semblance there is 'twixt life and 
death ! 

Like weary children we fall asleep. 
Unconscious alike of both friend and foe, 

Assured that God will our slumbers keep. 



148 POEMS 



Asleep! Yes, sleeping to wake no more; 

The loving clasp relaxed for a while 
From the gleesome child that we so adored, 

From the fair, sweet babe that knew no 
guile. 

The pure young bride, with her orange 
wreath, 
Asleep in the casket satin-lined. 
And the strong, brave man, with the God- 
like life. 
Lost to the world and to hearts enshrined. 

Passed from this fleeting, ephemeral life. 
The smile of God enstamped on the brow ; 

Awakened from swoon of mortality, 

Victors through death, they are resting 
now. 

HOPE TKIUMPHANT. 

(A Song of Youth.) 

^^^ 0-DAY in a woodland bower I sit 
^A^ With a heart that's free from care, 
For 'tis the spring of both life and 
year. 
And the world is wondrous fair. 



POEMS. 149 



In my bower of bliss I dream sweet dreams 

Of yet happier time for me, 
When all desire will fruition have, 

And fortune's monarch I'll be. 

By fortune I mean not gleaming gold, 

But love with its holy power. 
And fame which shall link my name with 
thoughts 

That soothe at the twilight hour. 

The tide of young life w ill bear me on, 

Yet dreaming I'll ever be 
Of a happier time that's just ahead 

Till the sunset hour I see. 

Oh ! hope of youth, with thy radiant shriae, 

A fortune thou art indeed. 
For thy blest illusions buoy the heart, 

Imparting a living creed. 

So I sit to-day in bower of bliss 
And future with present enlink ; 

Thankful for life, more thankful for hope 
Arching eternity's brink. 



I50 POEMS 



THYSELF. 

♦||^ ESOLVE to be thyself ! Attain 
llY The nobler life God meant for 
thee. 
Pine not for sphere of usefulness 

Which thine was ne'er ordained to be. 
Perform with joy the daily round 

Of tasks which God appointed thee, 
Nor look for other praise than His: 

And thus thy spirit will be free, 
And thou, indeed, wilt be thyself 

For time and great Eternity. 



CONSCIENCE. 

STKONGER than law engraved on 
stone, which God 
To prophet gave on Sinai's awful 
crest, 
Is law that's written in the human breast, 
This law of conscience — God's divine be- 
quest. 



POEMS. 151 

"Conscience makes cowards of us all," was 
said 
By peerless, wondrous dowered son of 
song. 
Who touched life's harp, and holds en- 
tranced vast throng, 
Which this strong monitor oft shields 
from wrong. 

EALLYING POWER. 
*yi^f^ ITH clasped hands and downcast 
V^\ eyes. 

We mutely stand when sorrow 
comes ; 
Not even strength to think have we, 
For grief, we know, e'en soul benumbs. 

Though deep the impress sorrow makes 
On heart and life when we're bereft, 

We are not hopeless, God be thanked ! 
Hope's never dead while reason's left. 

Ah ! 'tis this blessed germ of hope 
That keeps alive life's flame within, 

And lifts the soul to God on high, 
Inspiring faith to victory win. 



152 POEMS 



HOPE. 

COMMINGLED with life's bitterness 
There always is some sweet; 
And shining through our darkest 
hour 
Bright star of hope we greet. 
And though our heart be filled with grief 

There always is some room 
For ray divine in it to shine, 
To chase away the gloom. 



ONLY. 

NLY a mother crying 

For her babe that's gone; 
Only a maiden sighing 
For the love that's flown. 



© 



Only an exile weeping 
For a land denied; 

Only a captive sleeping 
With a name decried. 



POEMS. 153 

Only a heart that's breaking 
For kind words unsaid; 

Only a mourner taking 
Last look at the dead. 

Only a treasure lying 

Beneath the chill sod; 
Only a soul that's hieing 

Homeward to God. 

MUTATION. 

<y|^fH[ E form new ties, and w^e drift 
V^^^ away 

From the loving hearts of yes- 
terday ; 
Not cold nor unkind do we mean to be, 
But the past is only a memory. 

So natural 'tis to sever the ties, 
That broken friendships should not sur- 
prise ; 
For tangible love is what we seek, 
And of old-time love why should we speak? 



154 POEMS 



Mutation is written on all things here, i 

On hearts as well as on leaves grown sere ; j 

'Tis Nature's decree, many contend — : 
Then why grieve at loss of butterfly friend? 

^ i 

NEEDS. i 

STKENGTH for to-day, j 

Strength for life's fray, I 

Is what we are needing. i 
Work, earnest work, 

Work, patient work, i 

Eegardless of feeling. \ 

Action from thought, 

Duty well wrought, ; 

Is w^hat the world's needing. ; 

Christ in our marts. 
Heaven in our hearts, \ 

Life's import revealing. I 

Faith in ourself, 
Less thought of pelf. 

Sorely we are needing. 
That we may win 
Victory o'er sin, 

For this we're appealing. 



POEMS. 155 



DREAMLAND. 

®N the peaceful shores of Dreamland 
We have anchored life's frail 
bark, 
And, protected by Divine One, 
We shall rest till song of lark 
Calls us forth to earnest duties 

Which our lives must ever mark 
Till, in port of Life Eternal, 
We from frail ship disembark. 



B 



WHITHER? 

FTER the storm comes the calm, 
After pain's terror is balm, 

And the heart sings glad refrain. 
Ah, whither has fled the cloud, 
And whither the haunting shroud 
That we see them not again? 

Earth lies under sunlit skies, 
Joy beams in the patient's eyes, 
For the wrathful conflicts o'er. 



15^ POEMS 



And we'll know each why and where 
In the land of love so fair 
Just bejoad the jasper shore. 



IN DARKEST HOUR. 

SO bleak and cheerless is the day, 
So long and lonely is the way, 
That heart grows cold. 
"There's blue sky somewhere," children 

say; 
But eyes can catch no far-off ray 
Of sunshine's gold. 



Deep shadows o'er life's dial lower; 
Black clouds descend in copious shower; 

Lost seems our goal ! 
Then blessed Hope, in this dark hour, 
Shines forth with glorious, heavenly power 

And lights the soul. 



POEMS. 157 

A STAR IN THE DARKNESS. 

^H^AN'S hold on bliss, as poet says, 
XII3 -^^ ^^^^ *^ spider's fine-spun 

thread 
Which breaks, alas! at slightest breeze: 
Life's thread breaks, too, and friends are 
dead. 

We dwell 'mid mem'ries of the past, 
A past that makes us what we are; 

And visions of our loved and lost 
Light up our lives like shining star. 

SUCCESS. 

BITTER failure earth may bring us. 
Creatures we of circumstance, 
But success of highest order 
Comes from God, and not by chance. 
Virtue dwells in soul that's loyal, 
Crowning life with crown that's royal, 
And its watchword is, "Advance !" 



158 POEMS 



LIFE'S GOLDEN SIDE. 



n 



O room there is for brooders 
In the fellowship of man; 
Avaunt with melancholy, 
And be cheerful as you can. 



Life's vicissitudes are many, 

But they should not soul depress; 

Give the all-hail of your voice 
To your brother in distress. 

Society has duties 

That man cannot ignore; 
Companionship and sunshine 

Lift the pall from heart and door. 

Not a sphere of isolation 

Is the world in which we live, 
But a human hive demanding 

That to all we honey give. 

Let us make of sad experience 
Bonfire, in whose light we'll see 

What we mourned was God's aiipointment- 
Gold from dross by flame set free. 



POEMS. 159 

Death and burial we've given 

To the things that tortured soul; 

Henceforth morning hope and radiance 
Stimulate to nobler goal. 



CHEERFULNESS. 

UR lives are full of heart-break, 

But with bright and cheerful air, 
Respond w^e to each duty, 
Casting off corroding care. 



© 



God made us to be sunbeams, 

Shining forth from darkest cloud; 

He bids us walk with patience, 
Howe'er jostled by the crowd. 

He meant us to be useful 

In this life so strangely given, 

And to reflect His glory 

On our way from earth to heavem. 

Like bird of forest, singing 

In vale or on hilltop. 
So neither grief nor gladness 

Should make our music stop. 



i6o POEMS 



Sometimes amid deep sorrows 
Strong minor chords are heard, 

But still the music's pealing, 
And our hearts by it are stirred. 

It is not easy always. 

When we stand 'mid billows wild, 
To smile upon the breakers; 

But God guards His trusting child. 

Thank God for cheerful spirits. 
As we journey o'er life's way ; 

Their sunshine sheds a glory 
On the path to endless day. 

I WONDER. 

f WONDER why our Lord on high 
Hath laid on me such sorrow, 
And why He's veiled with such 
pall 
Each bright and happy morrow. 

T wonder why all Nature's glad 
When life's for me so dreary; 

How birds can sing and bells can ring 
While I am so a- weary. 



POEMS. i6i 

I wonder why the sun's so bright, 

Why earth is merry-making, 
And tuneful souls are full of glee 

While my poor heart is breaking. 

I wonder why things clang and crash 

So wildly all around me, 
When I so yearn to be alone, 

From every earthly sound free. 

I wonder why — deep wonder this ! — 

Grim Death should still heart's beating; 

Why shroud and bier and hearse we see, 
With Love and Hope so fleeting. 

I wonder oft, I wonder much, 

How all these things can be ; 
But well I know in God's own time 

That He will clear each mystery. 

I KNOW. 

fKNOW that under the winter snow, 
Unseen by mortal eyes, 
A magician is deftly working. 
And will give glad surprise 
When beautiful spring is dawning. 



i62 POEMS 



I know the hoar frost and white, white 
snow, 

Though we shrink from them now, 
Will end in a bountiful harvest, 

For they richly endow 
The forest and field of farmer. 

I know that a block of senseless stone, 

In hand of sculptor rare, 
Springs forth into rapturous beauty, 

Like fabled goddess fair 
From the brain of creator Jove. 

I know that rich diamonds are nothing 

But bits of useless stone 
Until they are chiselled to splendor 

By skillful art of one 
Who faithfully worketh alone. 

I know there is nothing worth having 

That is easily won; 
For God e'er awardeth the guerdon 

To the untiring one, 
Who with patience of hope works on. 



POEMS. 163 

I know that the souPs life is quickened 

By sad discipline here, 
And that after our toilful sowing 

Comes rich fruitage of cheer, 
To gladden hearts with its largess. 

I know that when into God's keeping 
We've giv'n our heart's desire. 

And our eyes are cleared from their weep- 
ing 
By the punitive fire, 

That life has a glory untold. 

I know that cold, labor, and sorrow 

Are blessings in disguise. 
That God, our Father, has appointed 

These means for us to rise 
To hallowed heights of true living. 

A QUESTION ANSWEKED. 



^ 



OU ask, dear friend, why I am sad. 
And why in minor key 
The thought of soul's always ex- 
pressed 
Like moaning dove's soft plea. 



i64 POEMS 



It is not hard to answer, dear, j 

Your question, gentle, kind, 

For life's so lone for me down here, | 

Since no fond heart I find. i 



The friends that made my life so bright 
In days of Auld Lang Syne, 

Have cleft Heaven's veil of ether blue; 
For them I yearn and pine. 

Sad thoughts Eolian strains evoke 

From heart so much alone; 
And plaintive note so oft I hear, 

Is why I thus make moan. 



The storms of life have wildly raged, , 

But, oh! there's One above ] 

Whose Hand's outstretched for me alway, — ! 

The God of Life and Love. ; 

J 
i 
Though I am sad, I'm happy, too, 

For in my soul abides '. 

A hope of blessedness beyond. 

Worth all the world besides. 



POEMS. 165 



SYMPATHY. 

IVE thyself with thine alms, 
Let thy soul attuned be 
To the griefs of mankind, 
To the sorrows we see. 



(3 



Souls are crying for bread 
And we give them a stone, 

They are pleading for love, 
But we heed not their moan. 

We dole out our pennies, 

Which we lay in their palms, 

Withholding things richer, — 
In God's sight the true alms. 

The world is a-hungered 
For the love we can give, 

For sympathy tender 

Which in all souls should live. 

If hearts have responded 
To the cries we have heard. 

And we've given that comfort 
Which the soul can up-gird, 



i66 POEMS. 

Ah ! soon will the shadows 

That so checker life's path 
Be lost in the sunshine 

Of the great Aftermath. 

SLEEPING IN THE DlTfeT. 

•yi^f^ E grieve sometimes that Nature 

No pitying thought 
For those who sleeping are in dust. 
The golden gleam of sunset skies 

Doth mock'ry seem, 
When we've interred beneath earth's crust 
Life's brightest hopes, to sleep in dust. 

No ray of splendor will be lost 

From Nature's face. 
When we are sleeping in the dust. 
Like sweetest idyl, life will move 

In measure true; 
And souls will love without distrust, 
When we are sleeping in the dust. 



POEMS. 167 



Ah ! selfish is the grief that would 

Exclude sunshine, 
Though love be sleeping in the dust. 
Let Nature's diapason grand, — 

My last request, — 
Ring forth a chorus of sweet trust, 
When I am sleeping in the dust. 

TRANSITION. 

♦||/^ O lamps of joy my heart now light, 
11^ I For friendships sweet have taken 
flight. 
Like butterflies to blooms more bright, 
And love is dead. 

In life's drear inn I sit alone, 
Quite desolate since love is flown. 
And from tense lips escapes the moan : 
"E'en hope is fled I" 

But soul, which is our life's true king. 
Asserts itself, and gloom takes wing; 
Forthwith I hear the angels sing 
Of God o'erhead. 



t68 poems. 

Quick banished now is loneliness, 
And I no more am comfortless; 
Companioned by sweet thoughts that bless 
I've naught to dread. 

TO MY BOOKS. 



S 



WEET books of mine, ye do entwine 
Your tendrils 'round my heart 
With fond caress and lovingness 
That say we ne'er can part. 



Such loyal friends Heaven rarely sends 

To cheer our onward way 
As one's pure books, in quiet nooks. 

That shine with lustrous ray. 

In morning hour I feel your power, 

As students did of old; 
At evening, too, sip honeydew 

From flowers ye do enfold; 

But ye're most rife with light and life 

At lonely midnight hour, 
When, vital part of my own heart. 

Ye breathe with godlike powder. 



POEMS. 169 



MISERERE. 

^T^IVf^ ALK there 'mong us kingly 
^^^^ spirits, 

But the earth-dust in our eyes 
Blinds us to their full-orbed glory 
Till they've passed into the skies. 

Ah! how selfish are our gropings, 

And how chary is our praise! 
Could their ears but catch the music, 

Loud the paeans we would raise. 

Could we know while they are standing 
At our side in life's fair prime, 

That in such a little season 

They will pass the bounds of Time, 

Ah ! how tenderly we'd greet them, 

And how reverently we'd deal 
With the soul so near releasing, 

With the heart that has death's seal. 

On their tombs we lay fair emblems 

Of the love we never told, 
While our breaking hearts cry madly 

For the friend beneath the mold. 



I70 POEMS 



God has given us great treasures, 

But how frail, alas! are they! 
For the caskets that enshrine them, 

Like our own, are made of clay. 

Souls are starving for the manna 

That we could so richly give 
From the storehouse of affection 

While we here together live. 

Then, with true appreciation 
Of the worth of friends so dear, 

Let us love and cheer each other 
Ere we stand beside the bier. 

DEATH. 

fN waxen calm a tiny babe lay, 
Its violet eyes closed in dreamless 
rest; 
And with aching heart we turned away, 
And faintly whispered: ^'God's will is 
best; 
But death is sad for this little one 
Whose knowledge of earth had scarce be- 



POEMS. 171 

In coffined beauty our darling smiled, 
Not now a babe, but the household pet, 

Such a dimpled, darling, winsome child. 
That beholders all, with cheeks tear-wet, 

Softly murmured: ^'How sad 'tis to die 

And rend forever heart's tender tie!" 

Again we behold the chiseled form 
Of a maiden fair, a comely lass, 

A dear one snatched from the raging storm, 
A shivered life, like Venetian glass; 

And tear-drops fall with the old-time sigh : 

"In life's bright morn how sad 'tis to die!" 

And now a bride in her last long sleep 
We see in the casket satin-lined. 

While orange blossoms and lilies keep 
Their faithful vigil with love entwined, 

As heart sobs blend with the bitter moan : 

^'O Death ! thou hast left me all alone !" 

A mother sleeps in unwonted calm. 

So white and mute, with her eyes shut 
tight; 

On her bosom lies the victor's palm. 
Emblem of rest after hardest fight. 



172 POEMS 



Motherless children cluster around, 
And "Death is cruel !" Ave hear the sound. 

Apollo's form we behold in death, 
With stalwart figure and noble brow. 

We weep that from him the fleeting breath 
Has fled forever, and Love cries now: 

"So useful he was, and so beloved; 

How could you touch one the gods ap- 
proved?" 

An aged queen in her palace grand 

In stateliness lay on flower-wreathed bier. 

For wealth had no power to stay the hand 
Of pitiless Death, or to dry the tear 

Of royal mourners who weeping said: 

"So sad is her fate when such life she led !" 

It is ever thus: there is no time 

When Death can claim those we fondly 
love; 
In youth or in age we hear the chime 

Of love-bells soundings, like cooing dove, 
And "sad'' or "cruel" we ever say 
When loved ones are called from earth 
away. 



xim 



POEMS. 173 



DISSOLUTION. 

E call it death, that fearful thing, 
That steals the breath and gives 
soul wing. 



"O Death!" we say, "why from us take 
Love's holy ray, and leave heart-break?" 

But vain appeal ! In armor clad, 
With heart of steel, he seemeth glad 

To rend the tie that binds to earth 
A soul most high, of heavenly birth. 

A house of clay is what he leaves; 

It will decay — ah I thought that grieves ! 

Life's vital spark from earth is gone; 
A soaring lark, it's heavenward flown. 



174 POEMS 



MY LIFE. 

SOMETIMES I say, 'mid falling tears, 
"My life's not worth the living; 
For earth is full of earnest work, 
And I'm so little giving." 

While this is true beyond a doubt, 

My life is in God's keeping; 
And if I strive to do His will, 

There is no need of weeping. 

I'm well assured my Father has 

Some purpose in my being. 
For He has often brought me forth 

From dangers past my seeing. 

He hedges me about from harm, 

And in my heart is sowing 
Sweet seeds of trustfulness and love 

Which day by day are growing. 

I know I'm but an atom here. 
In this great world of beauty, 

But I've my field of usefulness, 
A sphere of hallowed duty. 



POEMS. 175 



And if my work is done aright, — 
Ah ! how my heart is leaping ! — 

These harvest fields like gold will shine, 
And yield a gracious reaping. 

•I 

GOOD NIGHT. 

^f^ HE busy day is ended, 
^^ Bright stars are shining now; 

By angels we're defended. 
At Mercy Seat we bow ; 
To friend and foe alike we say: 
^'Good night! May morrow bring good 
day!" 



BOOKS YOU NVST HEAD 
SOONER OR LATER 

Llewellyn 

A NOVEL 

By Hadley S. KiMBERLiNa 

Cloth. $1.50. 
5 Illustrations by S. Klarr. 

Here is a story whose artistic realism will appeal to 
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all hearts by her purity and charm. 



Saltan of the Modern World 

By E. G. Doyen. 

i2mo, cloth, h^andsomely produced. 

$1.50. 

The title of this book will arouse curiosity," and its 
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A Missourian*s Honor 

By W. W. Arnold,, 

Cloth, i2mo. $1.00.. 

3 Illustrations., 



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Told &t Twilight 

By Eva Browne. 

^A delightful collection of stories and poems.', 

(Author's photo.) 

$i.oo. 



Job Trotter 

By Sylvester Field. > 
50c. 



A ui^ique work, proving that the "earthly paradise" 
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The Sin. of Ignorance 

By Henrietta Siegel., 
$1.00. 

An exceedingly clever story, by a New York girl, who 
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(4 special drauings.) 



BOOKS YOU MVST READ 
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Mew Book by the Author of 

A Girl and the Devil ! 



We beg to announce for autumn a new novel from 
the pen of Jeannette Llewellyn Edwards, entitled 

LOVE IN THE TROPICS 

The scene of Miss Edwards' new work is laid in 
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" LOVE IN THE TROPICS" 

tuilt be ready about J^o-Vember /, and 
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The New Womawnhood 

By Winnifred H. Cooley.. 
$1.25. 
No more original, strikmg and brilliant treatise on 
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BOOKS YOU MUST READ 
SOONER OK LATER 



Mdwrcelle 

A Tale of the Revolution 

i 

By WiLLIBERT D^VIS AND ClAUDIA BrANNON. 

l2nio, cloth. Illustrated. 
$i.oo. 

A fascinating story of the Revolutionary period, in 
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The loves of Andre and Marcelle (herself a spy) lend_^ 
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The Burton Manor 

A NOVEL 

By Rev. M. V. Brown. 
'i2mo, cloth. $1.50. 

A"most thoughtful, able and authoritative work in 
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of the liquor trade. The author has wisely embodied 
his conclusions in charming fiction — or fact? — and thus 
thej)00k_will appeal to a public as wide as the continent. 



BOOKS YOV MUST READ 
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Ldwdy Century 

By Mrs. A. G. KintzeUs 

'4 Drawings by Hartman.i 

Decorated cover in black, red and' gol3^ 

$1.50. 

Critics who have seen the book declare 'it superior to 
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"Sparkling from cover to cover." 



NAN & SUE 

Stenographers 

By Harriet C. Cullaton)) 
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You've no doubt heard of this book! "^It stan^s^ll 
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who have the most amusing adventures. The book's ap>- 
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themselves. 

Order now and join the procession oil the' autumn, 
loth edition. 



BOOKS YOV NVST READ 
SOONER OR LATER 



The Instrument Tuned 

By Rosa B. Hitt. 

Attractive Binding, 75 cents: 

Limited Edition in White and Gold, $1.00, 

(Author's photo) 

f An able and interesting work on a comparatively new 
subject — Psycho-physical culture — of whose methods the 
author has made successful application. The book is full 
of common-sense suggestions and is admirably adapted 
to the needs of humanity in general. 

The chapter-captions will give an excellent idea of thcj 
comprehensive and practical character of the work:] 

Various Therapeutic Agents.^ 

Influence of Mind. 

Extravagant Emotions7\ 

Insomnia. 

Relaxation. 

Harmony the Law of Nat'^3 



Order J^ot^ 

All of the books named in this magazine to be had 
from any newsdealer, or 



BOOKS YOU MUST READ 
SOONEH OR LATER 



Whjr ffol Order J^oiv ? 



Evelyn 

lAiStory of the West and the Far' East.) 

By Mrs. Ansel Opfe^heiu. 

4 Illus. $1.50. 

Limited edition in leather, $2.00. 

jtW prew baa sjwken of tfcls book with unquallfled terms ot pralSJ, 



The L&st of the Cave^liers 

By N. J. Floyd. 

9 "Drawings and Author's Photo. 

$1.50. 

/"No wiser or more brilliant pen has told the story of 
the Civil War than Capt. Floyd's ; no work more thrilling 
simply as a romance has recently been within the reach 
of book-lovers." 



MAY 12 1905 



LIBRARY. 0F_ CONGRESS 

5 




